A reporter without borders denounced the decision, saying it “threatening freedom of the press around the world.”
Almost every Voice of America (VOA) staff have been on leave after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order attacking government-run news outlets.
On Friday night, Trump ordered his administration to cut to the minimum required by law, based on an order entitled “Continue cutting the federal bureaucracy.”
The decision had an impact on the US Global Media Agency (USAGM), Housing Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Asia, and Radio Marti, which broadcasts Spanish news in Cuba.
A reporter from a press advocacy group condemned the decision, saying that the borderless reporters “threaten the freedom of the press around the world and deny 80 years of American history that supports the free flow of information.”
The decision to thwart government-run democratic press institutions comes as Republicans denounce publicly funded media outlets for bias against conservatives.
In a statement, the White House said Trump’s executive order “ensures taxpayers are not on the radical propaganda hook” before listing VOA criticism, including allegations of left-wing bias.
On Saturday morning, U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, whom Trump nominated as a senior adviser to the agency, wrote to X that employees should check emails.
Destruction – The President issued an executive order entitled “Continuing cuts to federal bureaucrats.” It affects USAGM and its outlets VOA and OCB.
If you are an agency employee, please check your email immediately for more information. https://t.co/jmkma0rp54
– Kari Lake (@karilake) March 15, 2025
Voice of America director Michael Abramowitz wrote in a LinkedIn post that all 1,300 journalists, producers and assistant staff members were “effectively,” “effectively,” “effectively,” and “effectively” on administrative leave, including himself.
“I am deeply saddened that America’s famous voice is silent for the first time in 83 years,” Abramowitz said.
“VOA promotes freedom and democracy around the world by telling American stories and providing objective and balanced news and information to those living under tyranny,” Abramowitz said.
Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA reaches 360 million people a week and operates in nearly 50 languages.
Notification of termination was also sent to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Its president and CEO Stephen Caps said the decision would be a “large gift to the adversaries of America.”
“We have benefited from strong bipartisan support throughout the storied history of RFE/RL (RadioFree Europe/RadioLiberty). Without us, almost 50 million people in a closed society who rely on us for accurate news and information each week, have no access to the truth about America and the world,” Capus said on Saturday.
The order to significantly reduce government agencies also included the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the US Interagency Council on the Homelessness.
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