Former President Donald Trump has frozen Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-funded media outlets, cutting off access for journalists and shutting down operations. The move, justified as reducing "unnecessary" federal spending, faces backlash from press freedom advocates and lawmakers, who argue it undermines U.S. global media influence.
Hundreds of employees from U.S.-funded media organizations, including Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe, were informed over the weekend that they would be locked out of their offices and must return press credentials and equipment. The decision follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, targeting agencies deemed “unnecessary” in government spending.
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees these organizations, reportedly terminated funding agreements with the independent broadcasters under its umbrella. USAGM, which employs approximately 3,500 people and operates on an $886 million budget, has been a key player in international news coverage.
VOA Director Michael Abramowitz revealed that nearly all of VOA’s 1,300 staff members had been placed on administrative leave. Meanwhile, the White House defended the cuts, stating that taxpayers should not fund “radical propaganda.”
Despite the move, political analysts predict legal and congressional challenges, as funding decisions traditionally fall under legislative authority rather than executive power. The media blackout has raised concerns over press freedom, particularly as critics argue that shutting down these outlets undermines America's global information influence.
