In a bold move that has sparked widespread concern, US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at stripping back the operations of Voice of America (VOA), accusing the federally funded broadcaster of being “anti-Trump” and “radical.” The order is set to significantly limit the organization’s ability to carry out its mission, which has involved providing news and information to global audiences for decades.
A White House statement regarding the order declared that the move was necessary to ensure taxpayers were no longer funding “radical propaganda.” The statement included quotes from right-wing critics and politicians who have been vocal in their opposition to VOA’s coverage of the Trump administration, calling it biased against the president.
Voice of America (VOA) was founded in 1942 during World War II with the goal of countering Nazi propaganda. Since then, it has grown into a global news service, primarily known for its radio broadcasts but also offering online news. VOA currently reaches hundreds of millions of people worldwide every week, providing news coverage in multiple languages.
For years, VOA has operated under the guidance of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which funds several other global media outlets, including Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia. These organizations were originally established during the Cold War to counter communist propaganda and provide alternative news sources in countries where free media was restricted.
VOA’s public charter, signed by then-President Gerald Ford in 1976, safeguarded the organization’s editorial independence, which allowed it to report freely without interference from the government. This principle has long been a cornerstone of the organization, ensuring it could operate as an unbiased news outlet. However, the recent order from the Trump administration has raised serious concerns about the future of VOA’s independence.
Trump’s executive order targets USAGM, the parent company of VOA, and calls for cuts that would drastically reduce its operations. The order mandates that the performance of VOA be reduced to “the minimum presence and function required by law,” significantly limiting its ability to operate. This comes after Trump’s repeated criticisms of VOA, particularly its coverage during his first term in office, which he labeled as unfair and biased against him.
The repercussions of this order are already being felt. According to reports, Mike Abramowitz, the director of VOA, and virtually the entire staff of 1,300 employees, have been placed on paid leave, leaving the organization unable to fulfill its “vital mission” of providing objective news to global audiences. Abramowitz expressed concern over the order’s impact, emphasizing that VOA’s role is especially crucial in the current geopolitical climate, where nations like China, Iran, and Russia are investing heavily in spreading misinformation to discredit the United States.
In a statement, Abramowitz said, “This order leaves VOA unable to carry out its vital mission, especially critical today, when America’s adversaries are sinking billions of dollars into creating false narratives to discredit the United States.”
The National Press Club, a leading organization representing journalists in the US, has condemned the executive order as a direct threat to press freedom. The group argued that the order undermines America’s long-standing commitment to a free and independent press, warning that the dismantling of an entire newsroom in a single day sends a dangerous message about the state of journalism in the US.
“If an entire newsroom can be sidelined overnight, what does that say about the state of press freedom?” the National Press Club asked in a statement. “An entire institution is being dismantled piece by piece. This isn’t just a staffing decision – it’s a fundamental shift that endangers the future of independent journalism at VOA.”
The move has also raised alarms internationally. VOA’s operations, which are similar to the BBC World Service, are funded by the US government but have long maintained editorial independence. Critics argue that cutting funding to VOA and similar agencies could erode the integrity of global media outlets and diminish their ability to serve audiences in countries where free speech and independent reporting are restricted.
The order’s impact is not limited to VOA alone. It also affects other important outlets funded by USAGM, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia. These organizations were created during the Cold War to provide accurate news and information to people living under oppressive regimes. Now, with Trump’s executive order cutting their funding, there are concerns about how these outlets will continue their operations.
In response to the cuts, the Czech Republic’s Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský expressed hope that the European Union might step in to help maintain Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s operations, especially its base in Prague. Lipavský said he would request that European foreign ministers explore ways to continue supporting the broadcaster’s work.
The controversy surrounding the executive order is also linked to prominent figures such as Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and advisor to President Trump. Musk, who has become an influential voice in Trump’s inner circle, has openly called for VOA to be shut down. On his social media platform X, Musk has repeatedly criticized VOA, aligning himself with the president’s stance that the organization’s coverage is biased against Trump.
Trump’s relationship with the media has been a long-standing issue throughout his presidency. He has frequently accused mainstream media outlets of being biased and dishonest, referring to networks like CNN and MSNBC as “corrupt.” His administration’s move to scale back VOA is part of a broader effort to exert more control over media organizations and reduce the influence of news outlets that he perceives as critical of his leadership.
Voice of America’s history is deeply tied to the United States’ efforts during World War II, when it was created to counter enemy propaganda. Its first broadcast aimed to provide news to the world, particularly to countries under Axis powers, while promoting American values such as freedom of speech and democracy.
Over the years, VOA expanded its reach globally, broadcasting in multiple languages to audiences in regions with limited access to free and independent news. Its efforts to combat misinformation and provide a counter-narrative have made it an important voice in the global media landscape.
In 1994, the Broadcast Board of Governors was established to oversee non-military broadcasting in the US, further solidifying VOA’s mission of independent reporting. The shift in 2013, which allowed VOA and its affiliates to begin broadcasting within the United States, further expanded its role as a source of global news.
The executive order signed by President Trump has raised significant concerns about the future of Voice of America and other US government-funded broadcasters. Critics argue that the move threatens not only the independence of VOA but also the broader principles of press freedom and free speech.
As the situation develops, many are watching closely to see how the international community, including organizations like the European Union and the United Nations, will respond to the dismantling of VOA and its affiliates. The implications for global journalism, particularly in regions where access to unbiased news is limited, could be far-reaching.
For now, President Trump’s decision to scale back VOA’s operations represents a clear shift in the US government’s approach to media and press freedom, raising questions about the future of independent journalism both in the United States and around the world.
