Federal judge rules Trump administration’s actions to dismantle Voice of America are illegal - AP News
The Bottom Line
A federal judge ruled the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle Voice of America were illegal, protecting its independence.
A federal judge has ruled that actions taken by the Trump administration to dismantle the Voice of America (VOA) and its parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), were illegal. The ruling found that former USAGM chief Michael Pack exceeded his authority by attempting to convert the agency into a propaganda arm for the former president. Specifically, the judge cited Pack's efforts to investigate VOA journalists, interfere with editorial content, and remove senior USAGM officials. This decision prevents the government from taking similar actions in the future and reinforces the statutory independence of VOA. The ruling underscores the legal protections for journalistic integrity within U.S. government-funded media outlets.
What's Being Done
Actions, solutions, and how to get involved
A federal judge has ruled that actions taken by the Trump administration to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) and its parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), were illegal, reinforcing the statutory independence of VOA. This ruling prevents the government from taking similar actions in the future, protecting journalistic integrity within U.S. government-funded media outlets. Readers can support organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists or advocate for the independence of public media by contacting their congressional representatives.
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Judge voids Kari Lake's actions as acting CEO of U.S. media agency - CBS News
Judge voids layoffs at VOA, rules Kari Lake unlawfully ran US media agency - The Hill
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