Reporters Without Borders criticized the action, stating it “endangers global press freedom.”
Almost all employees of Voice of America (VOA) have been put on leave following the signing of an executive order by United States President Donald Trump that significantly reduces the funding for the government-operated news agency.
On Friday evening, Trump instructed his administration to lower the staffing levels of several agencies to the bare minimum mandated by law through an order called “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy.”
This decision impacts the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Asia, and Radio Marti, the outlet that provides Spanish-language news in Cuba.
The press advocacy organization Reporters Without Borders condemned the move, asserting that it “endangers global press freedom and undermines 80 years of American commitment to fostering a free flow of information.”
The decision to diminish the government-funded, pro-democracy news outlet arises amid accusations from Republicans that publicly funded media organizations exhibit bias against conservatives.
In an official statement, the White House indicated that Trump’s executive orders “will ensure that taxpayer funds are not used to support radical propaganda,” while highlighting criticisms of VOA, including claims of left-leaning bias.
On Saturday morning, Kari Lake, a US Senate candidate appointed by Trump as a senior adviser to the agency, urged employees to check their emails via a post on X.
BREAKING—The President has issued an Executive Order titled Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy. It affects USAGM and its outlets VOA and OCB.
If you are an employee of the agency please check your email immediately for more information. https://t.co/JmKMA0rp54
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) March 15, 2025
Michael Abramowitz, the director of Voice of America, shared on LinkedIn that “virtually” his entire team of 1,300 journalists, producers, and assistants has been placed on administrative leave, including himself.
“I am profoundly saddened that for the first time in 83 years, the esteemed Voice of America is facing silencing,” Abramowitz expressed.
“VOA supports freedom and democracy globally by sharing America’s narrative and offering objective and balanced news and information, particularly to those living in oppressive regimes,” he added.
Founded in 1942 to counteract Nazi propaganda, VOA reaches 360 million people weekly and operates in nearly 50 languages.
Termination notices have also been issued to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, with its president and CEO, Stephen Capus, stating that this decision would serve as a “massive gift to America’s adversaries.”
“We’ve enjoyed robust bipartisan backing throughout RFE/RL’s illustrious history. Without our service, the nearly 50 million individuals in closed societies who rely on us for accurate news and information each week will be deprived of insights into the truth about America and the world,” Capus noted on Saturday.
The directive to considerably cut down governmental agencies also encompasses the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the US Interagency Council on Homelessness.
