Truth on trial: The fight to reclaim VOA from political control | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Voice of America (VOA): America's international broadcaster.
• USAGM: U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA's parent company.
• Carrie Lake: Appointed as senior advisor of USAGM, launching attacks against VOA.
• J1 Visa Holders: Journalists working for VOA under J1 visas, facing deportation to hostile regimes.
• Editorial Independence: VOA's charter-protected ability to produce journalism without fear or favor.
• First Amendment: Constitutional protection of freedom of the press.
• Executive Overreach: The executive branch exceeding its constitutional authority.
• Temporary Restraining Order: A court order to halt actions until a hearing can be held.
• Chilling Effect: Actions that discourage or intimidate journalists from reporting.

1. Immediate Implications of VOA Silencing

• VOA broadcasts through 3,500 affiliates worldwide (radio, TV, digital).
• Affiliates are missing VOA's content, creating a vacuum filled by adversaries.
• Adversaries include Russia TV, CGTN, Iran, and extremist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
• These groups are broadcasting their messages in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other regions.
• VOA's silencing prevents the U.S. from pushing back and telling its story.
• 360 million weekly audience members worldwide depend on VOA for crucial information.

2. Impact on VOA Journalists and Operations

• The speaker, py VI kvara, a VOA White House correspondent since 2018, is banned from the White House in her official capacity.
• This ban extends to other VOA colleagues, effectively silencing the Voice of America.
• Contractors have been fired, and J1 visa holders are at risk of deportation.
• The speaker cannot perform her job as a VOA reporter.

3. Carrie Lake's Vision for VOA

• Carrie Lake stated she told President Trump that VOA would focus on "accurate and honest reporting."
• She claimed it wouldn't become "Trump TV," but that ratings would be high.
• Lake believes VOA can be a weapon of truth in an "information war."
• On March 15th, Lake made detrimental statements about VOA journalism, calling it "terror sympathizers," "radical left-leaning," and "unsalvageable."

4. Legal Action and Arguments

• A complaint was filed alleging that government officials (represented by Carrie Lake and Victor Morales) silenced VOA journalism because it doesn't align with the administration's views.
• The legal arguments include violations of freedom of the press and executive overreach.
• Congress funds and sets up VOA, so the executive branch is overstepping its authority.
• A temporary restraining order was filed to halt the actions against VOA.
• The goal is to reinstate VOA to its pre-March 14th state, protecting editorial independence as guaranteed by the VOA Charter.

5. Impact on Journalism in the United States

• The situation creates a "chilling effect" not just for VOA but for other American journalists.
• Examples include attacks on the Associated Press (barred from the Oval Office and Air Force One for using "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "Gulf of America").
• The White House Press Corps includes individuals who are "very favorable" to the administration's agenda, rather than traditional journalists.
• Lawsuits against 60 Minutes, ABC News, and other organizations contribute to the chilling effect.
• These actions impact the U.S.'s reputation as a "beacon of democracy" and freedom of the press worldwide.

6. Donald Trump's Focus on VOA

• In 2021, Trump installed someone as the Director of USAGM, leading to lawsuits.
• Carrie Lake was appointed as VOA director but bypassed Senate confirmation by becoming a senior advisor of USAGM.
• Lake's public statements and attacks against VOA are concerning for journalists, especially J1 visa holders.

7. J1 Visa Holders and Their Plight

• There are 47 J1 visa holders working for VOA.
• Eight of them face returning to hostile regimes where they could be jailed or worse.
• One journalist reports on LGBTQ+ topics and could face imprisonment in their home country.
• The legal case includes four "John Does" representing these vulnerable journalists.
• If VOA is shut down, J1 visa holders will lose their status and face deportation.
• There are efforts to fundraise for them through "Donate USAGM."
• There are already 10 USAGM journalists in jail worldwide.

8. Other Affected Individuals

• Contractors have lost their jobs, paychecks, and health benefits.
• One contractor on the speaker's team recently gave birth to twins.

9. Notable Quotes

• Carrie Lake: "I told president Trump when he called me and asked me to lead the voice of America that we will focus on accurate and honest reporting it won't become Trump TV although I think the ratings would be very high we are fighting an information war and there's no better weapon than the truth and I believe vaa can be that weapon to us"
• Speaker: "So Donald Trump is basically sending journalists back to places like Russia and Myanmar I don't know if that is the intention but certainly that is the impact of the attacks on vaa"

10. Synthesis/Conclusion

The Trump administration's actions, particularly through Carrie Lake's role at USAGM, are dismantling VOA by silencing journalists, attacking their credibility, and jeopardizing the safety of J1 visa holders. This has significant implications for global information dissemination, as adversaries fill the void left by VOA's diminished presence. The legal action aims to restore VOA's editorial independence and protect journalists from executive overreach, highlighting the importance of safeguarding freedom of the press both domestically and internationally. The situation also raises concerns about the chilling effect on journalism in the U.S. and the potential for further erosion of democratic values.