Just heard Trump's closed VOA. What are the implications?
Just heard Trump's closed VOA. Surely this seems a bridge too far.
I'd be interested in hearing from those who understand its political implications.
I'd be interested in hearing from those who understand its political implications.
> Trump signed an executive order on Friday that commands the dismantling of seven government offices, including the United States Agency for Global Media, which is the parent company of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Voice of America (VOA), established in 1942, is a U.S. government-funded international broadcaster that delivers news and information in nearly 50 languages, reaching over 354 million people weekly. VOA operates under the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which, as of 2024, employed approximately 3,500 individuals and had a budget of $886 million.
VOA's content is mandated by law to be accurate, objective, and comprehensive, aiming to represent the diversity of American thought and institutions. Independent assessments, such as those by Ad Fontes Media, have rated VOA as centrist in bias and reliable in terms of analysis and fact reporting.
Audience metrics for VOA are typically gathered through surveys, audience research, and digital analytics, providing insights into its global reach and impact. However, recent developments have significantly impacted VOA's operations. On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that effectively shut down VOA by placing over 1,300 employees, including journalists and support staff, on administrative leave. This action was part of a broader initiative to reduce the size of the federal government, targeting agencies not statutorily mandated.
Case of the BBC World Service: Funding cuts to the BBC World Service led to a significant reduction in its global reach, resulting in a loss of 40 million listeners. This retreat allowed state-funded media from countries like Russia and China to expand their influence, particularly in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where they disseminate propaganda to further their geopolitical agendas.
Niger's Suspension of the BBC: In December 2024, Niger's ruling junta suspended the BBC for three months, accusing it of spreading false information about an extremist attack. This action reflects a broader trend where authoritarian regimes suppress independent media to control the narrative and maintain power.
Increased Geopolitical Influence of Authoritarian States: Countries like Russia and China could fill the information void, expanding their media presence to promote their interests unchallenged.
China:
VOA's Mandarin service has been a critical source of uncensored information for Chinese audiences. Studies have shown that Chinese students and scholars exposed to VOA content developed more critical views of their government's policies, highlighting VOA's role in influencing public opinion under authoritarian regimes.
Iran:
VOA's Persian service has provided Iranians with news and perspectives not available through state media. This service has been instrumental in informing the Iranian public about global events and U.S. policies, offering an alternative to the government's controlled narratives.
Turkey:
In June 2022, Turkey's media watchdog blocked access to VOA's website, citing the outlet's failure to obtain a necessary license. This action underscores the Turkish government's efforts to control media narratives and limit external influences on its population.
The damage that Brexit has done to UK bands touring the continent is severe enough that the government just created a new fund for bands [2] and at least it recognizes music as key part of the UK's soft power. The UK is one of only three countries that are net exporters in terms of music and let's not forget that British music has invaded the world, even the US, more than once. More than anything, music can move the people's hearts as they won't see it as propaganda. China does something similar with its pandas.
[1] near the end: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0028v04 [2] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-new-funding-for-mus...
Incidentally, I used to be a regular listener to VOA during the Cold War, it was one of the few sane voices around. In those days both Radio Moscow and Radio Peking were spread all over the SW band (they were everywhere, one had difficulty ignoring them—and their presence was much larger than VOA). Their propaganda was so outrageous and over the top that they were actually funny (I used to listen to them for fun in the afternoons when I arrived home from school).
[1] https://www.usagm.gov/2025/01/17/usagm-networks-reached-record-global-audience-in-fy-2024-according-to-new-report/
[2] https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USAGM_Audience_and_Impact_Report_2025_11x17version_2-24-25.pdf