Trump's Executive Order Puts Voice of America on Leave

Claims of bias against mainstream media resurface as Trump targets Voice of America amidst a crisis in funding.

In a controversial move, Donald Trump has signed an executive order that significantly alters the operations of Voice of America (VOA), putting the independent organization and its staff, consisting of 1,300 employees, on paid leave. Trump's directive specifically targets the VOA's parent entity, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees numerous federally funded news organizations, including Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia. The order is reportedly aimed at reducing the performance and presence of these news agencies to what is legally necessary.

Mike Abramowitz, the VOA's director, has voiced concerns that this order compromises the organization’s vital mission, especially at a time when foreign adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia are heavily investing in propagating false information to undermine the credibility of the United States. The lack of clarity surrounding the future operations of VOA raises alarms about the potential closure of the agency.

According to reports from CBS—partnering with BBC News—VOA employees were notified of their suspension via email, and other stations under USAGM have also faced funding cuts. In addition, many freelance workers and international contractors have been informed that there are no funds available to compensate them for their work. Emails revealed that government grants for Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia had been ceased, resulting in major disruptions to their services.

Historically, the Voice of America has been deemed essential, serving over 400 million listeners worldwide and comparable to the UK's BBC World Service. Emerging from its World War II roots designed to combat Nazi propaganda, the VOA’s principles were reaffirmed by a public charter signed by Gerald Ford in 1976, emphasizing its editorial independence. However, Trump previously criticized the agency in his first term and has appointed loyalists to high-ranking positions within USAGM.

Trump’s ongoing criticism of mainstream media—dismissing outlets like CNN and MSNBC as "corrupt" and "illegal" without substantiation—adds context to this alarming development, highlighting a growing tension between government power and media independence in the United States. As the situation evolves, the implications for press freedom and impartial news reporting remain a pressing concern.