Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
Launched in 1942, Voice of America (VOA) has operated for over 80 years, broadcasting news globally in over 45 languages. According to sources, it was listed by US president Donald Trump as among federal agencies termed unnecessary. As a result of this decision Voice of America will no longer air internationally and its 1,300 employees including journalists, producers and every other staff have been placed on paid administrative leave. The cut equally affects all the media outlets under VOA including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and independent news outlet that rely on VOA.
Praised as a media that defeated Nazism and Communism, this move has gained widespread criticism as they argue that administration has silenced the beacon of hope citizens in suppressed countries could count on to speak for their freedom.
In a LinkedIn post, VOA Director Michael Abramowitz said, “I am deeply saddened that for the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced. It has played an important role in the fight for freedom and democracy around the world.”
Trump’s order extends beyond Voice of America but includes lesser-known government agencies such as the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a nonpartisan think tank, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, which to the administration is part of an effort to reduce government spending.
