More than 1,300 employees of Voice of America (VOA) have been placed on mandatory leave, effective Saturday, March 15. Additionally, funding for two other U.S. media outlets has been cut. This decision follows an order by President Donald Trump on Friday, directing staff reductions at the parent organization of VOA and six other federal agencies, according to a report by Reuters.
Michael Abramowitz, the director of VOA, stated that most journalists, producers, and support staff have been placed on administrative leave, rendering the media outlet—broadcasting in over 50 languages—virtually inoperative.
In a LinkedIn post, Abramowitz expressed deep regret, stating, “For the first time in its 83-year history, the legendary Voice of America has been silenced. It has played a crucial role in promoting freedom and democracy worldwide.”
VOA’s parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), has also lost funding for two other media outlets—Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia. Radio Free Europe operates in Eastern European countries, including Ukraine and Russia, while Radio Free Asia broadcasts in China and North Korea.
Trump’s decision is expected to significantly impact these media outlets, which have been recognized as reliable news sources, even in authoritarian regimes.
Voice of America was established in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda. Today, it reaches approximately 360 million people worldwide each week.
As part of the USAGM group, the agency employed around 3,500 staff members. According to the latest congressional report, its budget allocation for 2024 was $886 million.