By Gwurld4026 
Voice of America Faces Turmoil as Staff Are Placed on Leave
On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that significantly impacted U.S.-funded international media organizations. This directive led to over 1,300 employees of Voice of America (VOA) being placed on administrative leave and terminated funding for other outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia.
The order mandated that the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), VOA’s parent organization, and six other federal agencies reduce their operations to the legal minimum. This move effectively silenced VOA, an 83-year-old institution renowned for promoting freedom and democracy worldwide.
VOA Director Michael Abramowitz criticized the decision, emphasizing VOA’s vital role in promoting democracy and providing unbiased news to global audiences. Press freedom advocates, including the National Press Club and Reporters Without Borders, condemned the cuts, arguing they endanger global press freedom and aid authoritarian regimes.
Kari Lake, a Trump appointee and ally, labeled USAGM as “unsalvageable,” reflecting the administration’s longstanding criticism of these media organizations. This perspective aligns with previous efforts to reduce government size, spearheaded by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has already significantly reduced the federal workforce and programs.
Critics argue that defunding these media outlets benefits America’s adversaries and creates a significant information gap in regions lacking access to reliable journalism. This decision marks a departure from the U.S.’s historic role in promoting democracy and press freedom globally.
The abrupt suspension of VOA’s operations has raised concerns among its staff and supporters about the future of U.S.-funded international broadcasting and its implications for global access to unbiased news.