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The Trump administration has abruptly placed journalists at Voice of America (VOA) and other United States (US)-funded media organizations on leave, effectively halting the operations of outlets long seen as vital in countering Russian and Chinese state-controlled narratives.
On Saturday, March 15, hundreds of employees from VOA, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were notified via email that they were barred from their offices and required to surrender press credentials and work-issued equipment.
A day earlier, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 14, declaring the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) as an unnecessary component of the federal government.
The decision follows previous efforts by the administration to dismantle public institutions, including the US global aid agency and the Department of Education.
Kari Lake, a vocal Trump supporter who was recently appointed to lead USAGM after an unsuccessful Senate bid, informed staff via email that federal funding for these media organizations no longer aligned with government priorities.
The White House defended the move, claiming it would prevent taxpayer money from funding what it described as ‘radical propaganda.’
In a social media post, White House press official Harrison Fields mocked the impacted outlets by writing ‘goodbye’ in 20 different languages.
Michael Abramowitz, director of VOA, confirmed that he was among the 1,300 employees placed on leave.
He warned that the decision would cripple the network’s ability to deliver independent journalism worldwide.
Abramowitz shared on Facebook that the network broadcasts in 48 languages and reaches an audience of 360 million people weekly.
“VOA needs thoughtful reform, and we have made progress in that regard. But today’s action will leave Voice of America unable to carry out its vital mission,” Abramowitz said.
Stephen Capus, the president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which began broadcasting to the Soviet bloc during the Cold War, described the funding cut as a significant advantage for America’s adversaries.
“The Iranian ayatollahs, Chinese communist leaders, and autocrats in Moscow and Minsk would celebrate the demise of RFE/RL after 75 years,” Capus said.
Since the Cold War’s conclusion, U.S.-funded media have shifted their focus, reducing programming aimed at emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe while concentrating more on Russia and China.
Meanwhile, Chinese state-backed media have significantly expanded their influence over the past decade, providing free content to developing nations that might otherwise rely on Western news agencies.
Radio Free Asia, founded in 1996, remains dedicated to delivering uncensored journalism in countries where press freedom is severely restricted, including China, Myanmar, North Korea, and Vietnam.
Despite being funded by the U.S. government, these media outlets operate with an editorial firewall that guarantees independence.
However, critics close to Trump have expressed frustration, arguing that taxpayer-funded outlets should align with his administration’s policies.
Trump’s decision to defund these networks is expected to face significant opposition, as Congress holds the authority over federal spending. Radio Free Asia, in particular, has historically received bipartisan support.
Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders denounced the move, warning that it undermines press freedom globally and erases decades of American leadership in promoting independent journalism.
Democratic lawmakers Gregory Meeks and Lois Frankel also criticized the decision, cautioning that it would weaken U.S. efforts to combat foreign propaganda.
A Voice of America employee, speaking anonymously, described the situation as chaotic, with staff left uncertain about whether scheduled broadcasts would proceed, as official communication remained unclear.
“It’s not just about losing your income. We have staff and contractors who fear for their safety. We have reporters who work under the radar in authoritarian countries in Asia. We have staff in the US who fear deportation if their work visa is no longer valid,” a VOA employee said.
“Wiping us out with the strike of a pen is just terrible.”
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