Kari Lake has delivered on Donald Trump’s order, leaving the Voice of America (VOA) in tatters following a devastating round of layoffs.
After three months of relentless legal battles and lobbying, America’s voice on the global stage has been significantly reduced to a mere fraction of its former self.
Kari Lake’s Layoffs
“Widespread layoffs took place Friday at VOA and its parent agency, the US Agency for Global Media, or USAGM for short, which has led America’s efforts to broadcast information around the world for decades,” one insider revealed.
“This move follows USAGM’s firing of more than 500 contractors last month. It spells the death of 83 years of independent journalism that upholds US ideals of democracy and freedom around the world,” declared a bolt of truth from three VOA journalists who fought tooth and nail to halt the terminations.
Voice of America
These firings mark a major political win for Trump, who has long criticized VOA, painting it as a biased, bloated behemoth in need of a sharp trim. His executive order last March has now paved the way for Lake to redefine the network’s direction.
Advocates for the agency, including some Republican lawmakers, have voiced their dismay, warning that the vacuum left behind will be quickly filled by “Russia and Chinese propaganda,” as Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva ominously warned.
The once-thriving VOA, which operated broadcast services and websites in numerous languages, employed about 1,400 people. But Trump’s edict in mid-March effectively silenced it, placing most staff on paid administrative leave and putting broadcasts on hold.
Kari Lake’s Press Release
Lake, who previously deemed the agency “unsalvageable,” announced that the agency will continue, albeit in a stripped-down version. “We’ll be lean and focused,” she said, confirming an employment roster of just 250 moving forward.
Notably, Lake had previously touted a collaboration with One America News, a far-right pro-Trump channel, to supply VOA with content at no cost — but not even the legal maneuverings could save those seeking to protect their jobs.
Three journalists — Patsy Widakuswara, Jessica Jerreat, and Kate Neeper — received layoff notices just as they were litigating to stop the firings.
“Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and extremist groups are flooding the global information space with anti-American propaganda,” they warned. “Do not cede this ground by silencing America’s voice.”
Other USAGM Networks
The fate of other USAGM networks, such as Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, hangs in the balance as they fiercely fight in court to maintain their federal funding.
Lake’s press release was eerily quiet about these networks, focusing solely on enforcing Trump’s command and slashing “waste” in government.
Despite the turmoil, last week saw a brief reversal with VOA staffers returning to revive Farsi-language programming amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions.
Lake insisted VOA’s “Persian news service is rising to the occasion” to cover the unfolding crisis. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, some of those same staffers were handed pink slips the very next day.
The post Kari Lake Carries Out Trump Order, Axes Most of VOA appeared first on Knewz.
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Author: Joshua Wilburn
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