President Trump Moves to Gut Voice of America
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at significantly cutting funding for Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Liberty. The plan outlined in the order seeks to dismantle these government-funded media outlets, stating that the reduction of certain federal bureaucracy elements is necessary.
Nonprofit activist group, the Committee to Protect Journalists, swiftly condemned the executive order, labeling it as “outrageous.” The group urged members of Congress to step in and defend VOA, highlighting the importance of the agency in providing independent journalism that challenges authoritarian regimes worldwide.
Carlos Martinez de la Serna, program director of CPJ, emphasized the critical role of VOA, which has been a pivotal training ground for journalists since its establishment in 1942. Operating under the U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA broadcasts in over 40 languages with a mission to deliver accurate and objective news coverage from the U.S. and across the globe.
The executive order also targets other agencies such as the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. These agencies are instructed to minimize their functions and personnel to the bare minimum required by law.
It is crucial for congressional leaders to take action in safeguarding VOA and other affected agencies to ensure the continuation of uncensored news coverage in countries where press freedom is restricted. The ongoing debate surrounding the executive order underscores the importance of independent journalism and the role it plays in promoting transparency and accountability on a global scale.
