Voice of America (VOA), the U.S. government-funded international broadcaster, has seen a dramatic reduction in its workforce, with about 85% of its employees laid off. This significant downsizing follows a directive issued during the presidency of Donald Trump to dismantle the organization.
The move, which began amid a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape U.S. international broadcasting, has had a lasting impact on VOA’s operational capacity. Once a robust platform providing global news and information, VOA is now functioning with a dramatically reduced staff.
The decision to overhaul and downsize the agency was met with strong criticism from media advocates and former employees, who argued that it compromised the broadcaster’s journalistic independence and strategic role in promoting democratic values worldwide.
Historically, Voice of America has served as a key element of U.S. public diplomacy, broadcasting in multiple languages to provide news free of censorship in regions with restricted press freedom. The layoffs have raised concerns about the broadcaster’s ability to fulfill its mission and maintain credibility in the eyes of global audiences.
Current and former employees have expressed uncertainty about the future direction of the agency, while watchdogs continue to monitor the implications of political interference in U.S. international broadcasting. Efforts to restore the agency’s staffing and editorial autonomy remain a topic of ongoing discussion within policy and media circles.
Source: https:// – Courtesy of the original publisher.
