United States President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to dismantle the Voice of America (VOA).
Trump accused the government-supported VOA of spreading “radical propaganda” and being “anti-Trump”.
The White House claims the order will ensure that taxpayers no longer support biased content, citing criticism from legislators and right-wing media sources.
VOA, founded during World War II to oppose Nazi propaganda, reaches hundreds of millions of people worldwide each week.
The injunction targets VOA’s parent business, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also sponsors non-profit organisations Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia.
These organisations were initially formed to combat communism. Managers have been advised to keep operations to the absolute minimum required by law.
Crystal Thomas, USAGM’s human resources director, reportedly notified VOA workers of the changes via email.
Freelance workers and international contractors were also apparently warned of a funding suspension, while government grants to Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were cancelled.
Mike Abramowitz, director of the VOA, stated that as a result of the decision, he and nearly all 1,300 employees were placed on paid leave.
Abramowitz noted that the action undermines VOA’s important purpose, particularly in light of escalating misinformation from US rivals such as Iran, China, and Russia.
Trump has previously criticised VOA, and he has recently appointed loyalist Kari Lake as USAGM’s special assistant.
The president routinely accuses major media sources of bias against him, calling CNN and MSNBC “corrupt” during a Justice Department speech.
VOA was established in 1942 to counteract Nazi and Japanese propaganda, with its initial broadcast carried out on a BBC-loaned device.
Former President Gerald Ford signed the VOA’s public charter in 1976 to ensure editorial independence.