In a surprising move that has shocked the media landscape, over 1,300 employees of Voice of America (VOA) were placed on administrative leave this weekend. The entire workforce, including journalists, producers, and support staff, finds itself temporarily sidelined following an order from President Donald Trump to stop operations at the government-funded media outlet’s parent company and six other federal entities. This decision was shared by VOA’s director, Michael Abramowitz, on LinkedIn, expressing his deep concern and disappointment over the unprecedented development.
“I am deeply saddened that for the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced. I learned this morning that virtually the entire staff of Voice of America—more than 1,300 journalists, producers, and support staff—has been placed on administrative leave today. So have I,” Abramowitz noted in his post. He emphasized the importance of VOA’s mission, particularly in today’s global climate where adversarial nations like Iran, China, and Russia are investing heavily in crafting misleading narratives against the United States.
The administrative suspension of VOA, a key player in promoting American values and democracy worldwide, is part of a broader directive affecting the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an agency supported by federal funds. USAGM also halted grants to other broadcasters like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, both critical for disseminating unbiased news to repressed regions such as Eastern Europe, Russia, China, and North Korea.
Despite the abrupt halt, Abramowitz highlighted that VOA remains crucial for its global audience, reaching over 360 million people weekly across 48 languages. For many living under authoritarian regimes, it serves as a rare reliable news source. However, Abramowitz warned that the current administrative actions jeopardize its ability to fulfill its mission, stating, “The actions being taken today by the Administration will severely damage Voice of America’s ability to foster a world that is safe and free and in doing so is failing to protect U.S. interests.”
Kari Lake, a former news anchor and supporter of President Trump nominated for the role of VOA director, labeled USAGM as “a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer.” She shared her intentions to reduce the agency to its lawful minimum size, aligning with Trump’s executive order aimed at minimizing federal bureaucracy.
This development comes as the Trump administration continues to push for alterations in how government-funded media organizations operate, asserting the need to streamline operations. Abramowitz calls for thoughtful reforms rather than drastic measures, fearing that such abrupt changes will undermine VOA’s effectiveness and its legacy of championing freedom and democracy for over eight decades.
As these decisions unfold, the future of Voice of America and its global influence hangs in the balance, raising significant concerns both domestically and internationally about the free dissemination of information and the United States’ soft power.
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Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/over-1-300-voice-of-america-staff-placed-on-leave-after-trump-asks-to-pause-funds-deeply-saddened-says-director-11742097214894.html
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Publish Date: 2025-03-16 10:10:00
