USA: RSF sues Trump administration to defend Voice of America

Donald Trump ordered the dismantling of USAGM on March 14, 2025, gutting the federal agency that supervises vital independent media outlets such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA). On March 15, VOA employees were placed on administrative leave, violating the rights of VOA journalists and USAGM’s legally required functions. RSF’s work to defend journalists and the public’s right to reliable information has been gravely impaired by the elimination of VOA as it is among the most reliable — if not the only — source of independent information in many parts of the world where RSF and its correspondents operate.

“Authoritarian censorship regimes, like the Kremlin and the Chinese Communist Party, are loudly cheering for the death of Voice of America. It’s clear that Donald Trump’s action will encourage harsher crackdowns against journalists and press freedom, putting VOA and RSF staff, correspondents, volunteers, and supporters in greater danger. RSF is compelled to act to protect VOA and the broader press freedom community.”

Clayton Weimers

Executive Director, RSF USA

VOA was established in 1942 to combat Nazi propaganda with accurate information. While the outlet operates with federal funding, it has been editorially independent from the US government as stipulated by the 1994 US Broadcasting Act, which prohibits interference by government officials. It is the largest and oldest US international broadcaster, producing digital, TV, and radio content in 47 languages. VOA journalists report from around the world and face serious danger to keep the public informed. Two are currently detained: Sithu Aung Myint was arrested in 2021 on charges of incitement and defaming the military in Myanmar and Pham Chi Dung is serving a 15-year sentence in a Vietnamese prison.

“VOA reporting helps keep the public and local journalists informed about human rights violations, violence, protests, and corruption — even in the world’s most censored countries. Trump’s decision is not only illegal, it’s also a major blow to millions of citizens’ right to trustworthy information and an invaluable gift to the world’s biggest predators of press freedom. RSF is proud to champion this battle in US court, defending access to independent, reliable journalistic reporting for citizens worldwide.”

Thibaut Bruttin

Director General, RSF

RSF’s vested interest

RSF exists to defend journalists like Sithy Augn Myint and Pham Chi Dung, as well as the thousands of journalists who have been summarily fired as a result of Donald Trump’s purge of USAGM. The RSF mission also extends to defending every citizen’s right to reliable information. Each time RSF’s work is thwarted by the absence of VOA, the organization and the people it defends suffer irreparable harm. That’s why RSF is urgently seeking legal remedy to protect the integrity of VOA. 

The lawsuit was filed in The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, a federal court. RSF is represented pro bono in this case by State Democracy Defenders Fund, a nonprofit organization that “brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.” 

“The attempt to dismantle Voice of America and the US Agency for Global Media is an unconscionable and outright attack on press freedoms. A free and independent press is the bedrock of democracy both at home and abroad. We are proud to stand with Reporters Without Borders and coalition members in our critical fight to defend free and independent journalism.”

Ambassador Norman Eisen (ret.),

Co-founder and board member, State Democracy Defenders Fund

The United States ranks 55th out of 180 countries and territories in the 2024 RSF World Press Freedom Index, having dropped an alarming 10 spots from 2023.