Voice Of America Faces Shutdown As All Remaining Staff Receive Layoff Notices

(MENAFN- Khaama Press) Politico reports that all Voice of America employees may face layoffs, signaling a potential shutdown of the long-standing U.S. government broadcaster.
American media outlets have reported that all 800 remaining employees of the Voice of America (VOA) are expected to receive layoff notices this week.

This move likely signals the end of operations for the U.S. government-funded media organization, which was originally launched in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda during World War II.

VOA, which has broadcast in nearly 50 languages to audiences in authoritarian-ruled countries, has been effectively shut down since March. The closure followed an executive order signed by President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and several affiliated entities.

According to Politico, citing four VOA employees, the layoff notices are being issued to all full-time staff, confirming the scale of the workforce reduction.

Earlier in May, approximately 600 contract workers at VOA were terminated. These developments came after the White House branded VOA as the“Voice of Radical America,” accusing it of anti-Trump bias.

The layoffs have raised serious concerns for nearly 60 journalists holding J-1 visas, who may be forced to leave the United States due to their loss of employment status.

Press freedom watchdogs such as Reporters Without Borders have condemned the decision, calling it a direct threat to global press freedom and a dangerous precedent for government interference in independent journalism.

The closure of VOA marks a dramatic shift in the United States' long-standing commitment to international broadcasting and soft diplomacy. For decades, VOA served as a platform for unbiased information in regions where free media was suppressed, playing a crucial role in promoting democratic values.

Critics warn that silencing VOA could weaken America's voice on the global stage, particularly in authoritarian regions where independent journalism is under siege. The decision is also seen as part of a broader trend of political influence over public media, sparking concern among journalists, diplomats, and human rights advocates worldwide.

ShareFacebook Twitter WhatsApp Email Print Telegram

MENAFN29052025000228011069ID1109609367