In a significant restructuring move, the Trump administration has now reportedly announced plans to drastically reduce the workforce at Voice of America (VOA) from approximately 1,000 employees to just 18.
This decision has raised alarms among advocates for international broadcasting and media freedom, as it follows months of layoffs and criticism directed at the agency.
According to a leaked letter obtained by The New York Times, VOA advisor Kari Lake outlined the proposal, stating the intention to maintain only the “statutory minimum” number of staff members necessary to fulfill the agency’s obligations.
This reduction would leave a skeletal crew of 11 employees to oversee VOA’s flagship radio and television operations, with additional personnel allocated for services targeting Iran, China, and Afghanistan.
Critics of the plan, including VOA White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, have raised concerns about the feasibility of operating with such a limited staff, especially given the agency’s mandate to serve a global audience of 360 million people weekly. Widakuswara described the situation as “comical if it weren’t so tragic,” emphasizing that this move not only jeopardizes jobs but also undermines the United States’ voice and influence in international media.
The downsizing initiative aligns with President Trump’s long-standing criticism of VOA, which he has labeled “the voice of radical America.” Since signing an executive order in March aimed at gutting the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA, the administration has faced legal challenges.
A federal judge previously ruled that the planned cuts violated congressional mandates, although an appellate court later claimed it lacked the authority to reinstate the affected staff.
The implications of this drastic reduction extend beyond personnel numbers; they touch upon the very purpose of VOA, which is mandated to be a “consistently reliable and authoritative source of news globally.”
However, the law does not specify a minimum number of employees required to fulfill this mission.
As the administration moves forward with its plans, it has already begun dismantling VOA’s infrastructure, putting its Washington-area building up for sale and canceling leases for new facilities.
Furthermore, Lake has announced a partnership with One America News Network (OAN) to provide content feeds for VOA, although it remains unclear how this arrangement will impact programming.
The proposed cuts and restructuring have drawn scrutiny from various corners, highlighting the ongoing debate over media independence and government influence.
VOA’s role as an international broadcaster has historically been to provide accurate news and information to audiences worldwide, a mission that some fear is now at risk.
As the administration navigates this contentious landscape, the future of Voice of America hangs in the balance, raising questions about the role of public broadcasting in an increasingly polarized political environment.
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