Trump administration decision to put all VOA personnel on administrative leave is the latest abandonment of US’s historic role in championing press freedom
The Trump administration has abruptly placed all Voice of America (VOA) personnel on administrative leave. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns this decision as a departure from the U.S.'s historic role as a defender of free information and calls on the U.S. government to restore VOA and urges Congress and the international community to take action against this unprecedented move. This decision also endangers USAGM journalists currently working abroad or detained for carrying out their work.
At 9:43 am, on Saturday, March 15th, Crystal G. Thomas, Director, Office of Human Resources, US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), issued an email to employees of VOA announcing they were placed under administrative leave. As a consequence, all permanent staff, including agency leaders, must cease working immediately, which means the de facto stop of news production. This agency brings together Voice of America (VOA), and also some outlets like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia.
“Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expresses deep concern over this decision from the Trump administration, a move that threatens press freedom worldwide and negates 80 years of American history in supporting a free flow of information. RSF calls on the U.S. government to immediately respect the autonomy of VOA as an independent news organization and to cancel this decision. Furthermore, RSF urges Congress and international stakeholders to mobilize against this fateful move. RSF stands in solidarity with VOA’s employees and is worried for the 10 employees of USAGAM currently detained abroad for doing their work: producing journalism.”
Voice of America (VoA) is one the international broadcasting state media networks funded by the federal government of the USA. It is the largest and oldest of the U.S. international broadcasters. Founded in 1942, VOA produces digital, TV, and radio content in 47 languages produced for audiences outside the US borders.
Some staffers of USAGM are currently detained abroad. RSF is still trying to confirm details of how these personnel decisions will impact the status of these jailed journalists.
The actions taken by the Trump administration follow a series of troubling steps and harsh statements aimed at questioning the action of USAGM and its different branches, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Last month, Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency called for VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to be shut down in a post to his X social media platform.
