The Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs at Voice of America (VOA) and other US-funded media outlets, signaling a significant shift in the country’s approach to international broadcasting. The move, which began on Sunday, follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Friday targeting the US Agency for Global Media, VOA’s parent organization.
Contractual employees at VOA received emails notifying them of their termination effective at the end of March. The email, confirmed by several employees to AFP, instructed contractors to “cease all work immediately” and barred them from accessing agency buildings or systems. Contractors, who make up a substantial portion of VOA’s workforce, particularly in non-English language services, are now facing uncertainty. Many are non-US citizens, meaning their visas and legal status in the country are tied to their employment.
Full-time staff, who have more legal protections, were placed on administrative leave and instructed not to work. The layoffs have left VOA in limbo, with some services resorting to playing music due to a lack of new programming.
VOA, established during World War II, broadcasts in 49 languages with a mission to provide news to countries lacking media freedom. The organization, along with other US-funded outlets like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Radio Farda, and Alhurra, has long been a cornerstone of US efforts to counter authoritarian narratives globally.
The White House defended the cuts in a statement on Saturday, claiming that “taxpayers are no longer on the hook for radical propaganda.” This characterization marks a stark departure from VOA’s traditional role as a staid, editorially independent broadcaster aimed at promoting democratic values.
The layoffs come amid growing competition from state-funded media outlets in China and Russia, which have invested heavily in expanding their global influence. China’s state-run Global Times commented on the situation, stating that “the monopoly of information held by some traditional Western media is being shattered.”
Critics argue that the cuts undermine US soft power and its ability to counter disinformation from adversarial nations. As VOA and other outlets face an uncertain future, questions remain about the long-term impact on global media landscapes and the US’s role in shaping international narratives.
