Workers at Voice of America receive instructions for resuming work amidst a hurdle for Donald Trump
In less than two months, the Trump-aligned Kari Lake, who previously deemed Voice of America (VOA) "unsalvageable," is now aiming to rescue the government-funded international broadcaster. A series of federal court rulings against the Trump administration's suppression of US-funded international broadcasters has paved the way for VOA's comeback.
According to a Friday night memo, VOA staffers and contractors will gain access to their email accounts and systems once more, with a return to offices scheduled for next week. VOA programming is slated to resume concurrently.
Steve Herman, VOA's chief national correspondent, stated, "Bringing VOA out of a deep coma will require substantial time and a Herculean effort of our nearly 50 language services to try to reach some of our pre-shutdown total audience of 340 million." VOA was abruptly silenced on March 15, 2023, when the Trump administration ordered drastic reductions to agencies like the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
Staffers were suddenly dismissed mid-shift, web producers were instructed to halt story posting, and some VOA radio stations began playing music in place of news. The VOA homepage has remained frozen in time, displaying outdated articles from that day.
Lake and her deputies also cut off financial support for broadcasters like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, which historically relied on government funding. These broadcasters struggled to stay afloat, resorting to layoffs and other cost-cutting measures as funds ran dry.
Stranded in a bureaucratic limbo, VOA staffers questioned their future. Some began seeking alternative employment, while others held onto hope that the courts would intervene. Their prayers were answered on April 22 when Judge Royce C. Lamberth ordered the administration to reinstate VOA staffers, declaring they were likely in violation of numerous federal laws.
However, the administration appealed the decision, as it did in cases involving Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe. On Thursday, an appeals court stayed the rulings concerning those broadcasters, pending further review. Yet, it did not stay Lamberth's order regarding VOA, presumably leading to the return-to-work message on Friday night.
Some VOA staffers remain skeptical, given the Trump administration's hostility towards the network. In a Trumpian press release in March, the USAGM was accused of "massive national security violations," "obscene over-spending," and "a product that often parrots the talking-points of America's adversaries." Following the court orders, Lake has altered her tone, stating that management will soon guide staffers through the modernization process and fulfilling the agency's mission.
- The Trump-aligned Kari Lake, despite previously deeming Voice of America (VOA) "unsalvageable," is now working towards rescuing the government-funded international broadcaster.
- A series of federal court rulings against the Trump administration's suppression of US-funded international broadcasters has reaffirmed VOA's continued operation as part of policy-and-legislation and politics.
- Given the Trump administration's past hostility towards VOA, some staffers remain skeptical about the return to work, even as they regain access to email accounts, systems, and prepare for a return to offices next week.
- In the face of the government's financial support cut-off, broadcasters like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia have been forced to make drastic changes, including layoffs and cost-cutting measures, in order to stay afloat.
