United States President Donald Trump has ordered the closure of the government-funded news agency Voice of America (VOA), citing concerns over its alleged biased reporting.
Trump reportedly signed an executive order on Friday directing the dismantling of seven government offices, including the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent organisation of Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
“Voice of America has been out of step with America for years. It serves as the voice for radical America and has pushed divisive propaganda for years now,” a senior White House official said.
The executive order states: “The non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.”
USAGM and its senior advisor, Kari Lake, issued a statement asserting that the agency is “not salvageable”.
“From top to bottom, this agency is a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer—a national security risk for this nation—and irretrievably broken. While there are bright spots within the agency with personnel who are talented and dedicated public servants, this is the exception rather than the rule,” the statement read.
Trump’s directive extends to other agencies, including the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and the Minority Business Development Agency.
The decision to shut down VOA has drawn sharp reactions from journalists and media advocacy groups, who argue that the move undermines press freedom.
However, White House officials maintain that the move is necessary to eliminate what they describe as “government-funded misinformation.”
