A federal lawsuit claims that the Trump administration unlawfully closed down the Voice of America (VOA) and is asking a court to restore the outlet, which for decades has provided news about the U.S. to countries, including those without a free press.
Filed in the U.S. District Court in New York, the lawsuit was brought by VOA reporters, Reporters Without Borders, and several unions against the U.S. Agency for Global Media and Kari Lake, the former Arizona candidate and President Trump's representative. The lawsuit states, "In many parts of the world, a crucial source of objective news is gone, and only censored state-sponsored media remains."
Lake has criticized the agency, calling it a “giant rot” in need of dismantling and rebuilding. VOA, established during World War II, has been a key source of impartial news, often broadcast into authoritarian nations. Funded by Congress, it operates under a charter that ensures journalistic integrity.
The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of unlawfully shutting down the agency in the past week, alleging that Republicans claim VOA is biased with left-wing propaganda, a charge the agency denies. The lawsuit states that the second Trump administration has attempted to "shutter it completely." The U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA and other networks, did not immediately respond to a comment request.
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In a recent interview, Lake described VOA as “like having a rotten fish and trying to find a portion that you can eat,” and stated on X that the Agency for Global Media is "a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer" and "a national security risk."
Clayton Weimers, executive director of Reporters Without Borders in the U.S., said his group is acting to protect VOA and press freedom globally.
There are also other media-related legal actions underway. At VOA's sister organization, Radio Free Asia (RFA), about 75% of its Washington office staff was furloughed on Friday, and the agency has canceled contracts with freelancers working abroad. RFA also plans to file a lawsuit to secure continued congressional funding.
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Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in Washington, asking the court to compel the U.S. Agency for Global Media to release its next funding payment. RFE/RL broadcasts in 23 countries and 27 languages, and the lawsuit argues that the lack of funding has forced severe cuts in operations, potentially threatening the organization's survival.