In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Voice of America (VOA), a federally funded news organization that has been in operation since World War II.
Trump has accused the VOA of promoting “radical propaganda” and being “anti-Trump,” claims that have been widely disputed.
The executive order targets the VOA’s parent company, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also funds non-profit entities Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia.
These organizations were initially set up to counter communism and have been instrumental in promoting democratic values and countering misinformation around the world.
Managers have been instructed to minimize operations to the bare minimum required by law, effectively crippling the organizations’ ability to function.
The White House said the order will ensure taxpayers no longer fund biased content, citing criticism from politicians and right-wing media outlets.
VOA employees were informed of the changes via email, with nearly all 1,300 staff members being placed on paid leave.
Mike Abramowitz, VOA’s director, expressed his concerns about the move, stating that it “hinders VOA’s critical mission, especially amidst rising misinformation from US adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia.”
Abramowitz also noted the importance of the VOA’s editorial independence, which was safeguarded by former President Gerald Ford’s public charter in 1976.
Critics argue that Trump’s executive order is a blatant attempt to silence a free press and undermine the spread of democratic values around the world.
The move has been condemned by media rights groups, who see it as an attack on independent journalism.
As Daniel Fried, a former US diplomat, tweeted, “What gain from mere destruction of US assets?”.
The executive order is the latest in a series of moves by Trump to assert control over the media and suppress criticism of his administration.
The VOA has been a thorn in Trump’s side, with its reporting often at odds with the administration’s narrative.
The move to dismantle the VOA has sparked fears about the future of press freedom in the United States and around the world.
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