TWA
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After months of legal disputes and administrative delays, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has significantly downsized the Voice of America (VOA), reducing it to a much smaller operation aligned with the Trump administration’s vision.
Widespread layoffs were executed Friday across VOA and USAGM, which for over eight decades has overseen America’s government-funded international media platforms. The latest round of cuts follows the dismissal of more than 500 contractors earlier this year.
According to CNN,Critics of the move, including current and former journalists, argue that this restructuring marks a devastating blow to independent journalism backed by U.S. democratic values. Three journalists who unsuccessfully sued to block the terminations — Patsy Widakuswara, Jessica Jerreat, and Kate Neeper — said the layoffs threaten the very purpose of the agency: “This is not just about jobs. This is about America’s voice in the world.”
The downsizing fulfills an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in March that aimed to slash the size of several federal entities, including USAGM. Kari Lake, appointed by Trump to lead the agency, said the previous model was outdated, bloated, and politically compromised. In a press release Friday, she reaffirmed her commitment to running a “lean and focused” media outlet, revealing that the new structure would retain only about 250 employees — down from over 1,400.
Lake has previously floated proposals to outsource content production to outside conservative networks such as One America News.
While the future of VOA remains uncertain, the agency appears set to continue in a limited capacity. Some programming, such as Farsi-language broadcasts targeting Iran, had recently been revived in light of regional tensions. However, even some of those staffers were among those laid off Friday, raising questions about the agency’s long-term ability to sustain multilingual international broadcasting.
Outside observers have warned that the reduction in U.S.-sponsored media content leaves a vacuum that could be exploited by rival states. “If America withdraws from the information space, others — including Russia, China, and extremist groups — are ready to fill it,” said journalist Alsu Kermasheva.
The fate of other USAGM-affiliated entities, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia — which operate as nonprofit grantees — remains unresolved, with ongoing court efforts seeking to preserve their funding.
Lake’s announcement emphasized the need to eliminate inefficiency in federal media spending, aligning closely with Trump-era calls for government reform and deregulation. Meanwhile, former staff and supporters of VOA have urged Congress to preserve its legacy and funding, warning that America’s influence abroad will suffer without a strong, independent media voice.
