Published: March 17, 2025, 04:27 PM
The Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs at Voice of America (VOA) and other US-funded media outlets, marking a significant shift in US global broadcasting. Employees were placed on administrative leave, while contract workers received emails terminating their jobs by the end of March. Many of these contractors, especially those in non-English language services, now face visa uncertainties.
VOA, which broadcasts in 49 languages, has been a key tool for US global influence since World War II. The layoffs follow Trump`s executive order targeting VOA’s parent organization, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), as part of budget-cutting measures. USAGM, which employed over 3,300 people in 2023, had requested $950 million in funding for 2024.
With its operations disrupted, some VOA services have resorted to playing music instead of news content. Other affected US-backed outlets include Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Radio Farda, and Alhurra, all of which provide independent news to countries with restricted media access.
The White House defended the decision, stating that taxpayers would no longer fund what it called “radical propaganda.” Trump has long criticized VOA’s editorial independence. Meanwhile, state-run media in China and Russia are expanding their influence, with China providing free content to developing nations. China`s Global Times celebrated the VOA cuts, claiming they signaled a weakening of Western media dominance.
