Staff Correspondent
The Trump administration has announced massive layoffs at the U.S. government–funded international broadcaster Voice of America (VOA). As part of this process, more than 500 journalists are set to lose their jobs.
On Saturday (August 30), The Guardian reported that the White House has long criticized VOA, accusing it of spreading “extremist propaganda.” The layoffs are seen as part of efforts to downsize the organization.
VOA’s parent body, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), said in a statement by acting chief Kari Lake that the decision would reduce federal bureaucracy, increase efficiency, and save taxpayers’ money. However, the journalists’ union has called the move illegal.
According to USAGM, 532 positions will be eliminated—most of them at VOA—leaving only 108 employees at the once-massive organization.
Earlier, in June, Lake had announced the layoff of 639 staff members, but the decision was withdrawn due to administrative errors and a temporary court suspension after some employees filed lawsuits. Recently, a court ruled that the removal of VOA director Michael Abramowitz was procedurally unlawful and ordered Kari Lake to testify before lawyers. Soon after, the new wave of layoffs was announced on Friday night.
Some employees have already filed lawsuits to block what they call efforts to “shut down VOA.” They argue that Lake’s actions are “malicious” and that the court testimony will clarify whether she tried to dismantle the institution against congressional mandates.
Reports also note that while most journalists have been on administrative leave since March, a few Persian-language reporters were recalled after the Israel–Iran war broke out. However, the Cuba broadcasting division, which operates in Spanish from Miami, will not be affected by the layoffs.
Founded during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, Voice of America remains one of the world’s most influential international broadcasters.