Voice of America (VOA) is the U.S. government’s international multimedia broadcaster, providing news, information, and cultural programming in more than 40 languages worldwide. Established in 1942, VOA operates under the U.S. Agency for Global Media and aims to present accurate, balanced, and comprehensive news about the United States and the world.
On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to shut down VOA and other international broadcasting services, citing concerns over federal funding and alleged biases. This decision led to significant legal challenges, with VOA’s director and journalists filing lawsuits to contest the closure. A federal judge recently blocked the administration’s attempt to disband VOA, describing the move as “arbitrary and capricious.”
The shutdown has raised concerns about the United States’ ability to effectively engage in global information dissemination, especially in regions lacking free press. Republican congresswoman warned that dismantling VOA could jeopardize the U.S.’s position in the global information arena.
For more insights into the situation, here’s a recent news segment discussing the implications of VOA’s shutdown: