Trump Administration's Media Cuts Leave Global Broadcasters Silent

The defunding of USAGM has halted operations at outlets like VOA and RFE/RL, sparking legal challenges and raising concerns over journalist safety and U.S. soft power.

President Trump signed an executive order on March 14, 2025, defunding the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), effectively shutting down Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
Over 1,300 employees have been placed on administrative leave, with many foreign journalists now facing visa issues and potential deportation to authoritarian countries where they risk imprisonment or worse.
Critics warn the closures undermine U.S. commitments to press freedom and democracy, while creating a vacuum for authoritarian propaganda from Russia, China, and others to expand.
Lawsuits filed on March 23, 2025, claim the shutdown violates constitutional protections and endangers journalists' lives, with plaintiffs seeking temporary relief to restore operations.
Authoritarian governments, including Russia and China, have celebrated the move as a victory for their state-controlled media, while U.S. lawmakers and global observers label it a strategic mistake weakening U.S. influence.