Trump’s Impact at Voice of America: Hundreds of Journalists Let Go Amid Major Changes

Hundreds of journalists from Voice of America (VOA) faced layoffs during Donald Trump’s presidency, leading to significant changes at the U.S.-funded news outlet. The administration claimed these layoffs were necessary to address strife and inefficiency within the agency.

Steve Herman, VOA’s chief national correspondent, described the cuts as a “historic act of self-sabotage.” One notable group affected included Persian-language reporters, who had just returned from administrative leave due to the geopolitical unrest following an attack on Iran.

An article by the Associated Press detailed how these reporters, who stepped out for a quick break, found the doors locked and were unable to re-enter after receiving their termination notices.

Kari Lake, appointed by Trump to lead VOA, stated that these measures aligned with the president’s aim to reduce what he view as an overgrown federal bureaucracy. Since March, around 85% of VOA’s workforce—about 1,400 employees—lost their jobs, leaving just 50 on staff across various platforms.

A group of VOA journalists currently involved in a lawsuit against the agency warned that these layoffs marked the end of 83 years of independent journalism, a journalistic tradition that has represented U.S. values of democracy and freedom globally.

This upheaval had been anticipated since Trump instructed VOA and its parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), to minimize operations as much as the law would allow. Historically, these organizations have received recognition for their journalism in countries with little to no press freedom, including China, Russia, and North Korea.

Former VOA correspondent Dan Robinson has critiqued the outlet, arguing it had strayed from its mission, often showing biases that mirrored partisan media—a point that resonates in current discussions about media polarization in America. Public sentiment reflects concerns over a fragmented news landscape, with many news consumers feeling overwhelmed by political biases in reporting.

Trump’s agenda also aimed to cut federal funding for other major media organizations, such as National Public Radio (NPR) and PBS, demonstrating a broader trend of skepticism toward traditional media in the U.S.

For more insights into the changing landscape of media and journalism, consider exploring resources from the Pew Research Center’s reports on media consumption and polarization.

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