Signage for U.S. broadcaster Voice of America is seen in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2025. (Photo: CFP)
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has placed nearly all of Voice of America's (VOA) 1,300 employees on administrative leave following a funding freeze ordered by the White House. VOA Director Michael Abramowitz confirmed the move on March 15, stating that the decision has effectively crippled the broadcaster, which operates in almost 50 languages.
The suspension is part of a broader effort to reduce federal spending on government-funded media, with USAGM also terminating grants for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia. The White House framed the move as a necessary step to curb what it described as taxpayer-funded "radical propaganda."
A legacy of propaganda and controversy
Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA became a key Cold War tool for shaping global opinion in favor of the U.S. Over the years, its editorial independence has been questioned, with critics alleging that it serves as a mouthpiece for Washington's geopolitical interests, particularly in countries targeted for regime change.
VOA's coverage of China has been particularly controversial, frequently echoing narratives aligned with U.S. foreign policy objectives. The outlet has faced accusations of amplifying misinformation on topics such as human rights in Xinjiang, tensions in the South China Sea, and Taiwan's political status. Some former employees have revealed that attempts to introduce more balanced perspectives were met with resistance or even led to dismissals.
The political and financial backdrop
The funding freeze follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on March 14, directing USAGM and six other federal agencies to minimize their operations.
The decision is backed by Republicans who have long accused VOA and other publicly funded media outlets of bias, as well as tech billionaire Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has aggressively pursued cost-cutting measures across federal institutions.
Musk, who has been vocal about his disdain for government-funded media, mocked the move on X, stating, "While winding down this global government propaganda agency, it has temporarily been renamed the Department of Propaganda Everywhere (DOPE)." His DOGE has reportedly cut over 100,000 jobs across the federal workforce and frozen foreign aid programs.
The broader implications
VOA's suspension is the latest blow to Washington's long-standing tools of narrative influence. GDToday has previously reported on the broader mechanisms used by the U.S. to incite "color revolutions," highlighting how organizations like VOA have played a role in shaping public sentiment in targeted nations.
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For years, U.S.-backed media outlets and NGOs have been accused of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries under the guise of promoting democracy. From Ukraine's 2014 upheaval to Hong Kong's 2019 protests, Washington has been linked to providing financial and strategic support to opposition groups. In Latin America, countries such as Venezuela and Bolivia have also pointed to U.S. involvement in attempts to destabilize their governments.
The decision to defund VOA and its affiliates also follows increasing international backlash. In recent years, Cambodia's foreign ministry condemned VOA for lacking journalistic ethics, Kyrgyzstan shut down Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's local branch, and Russia labeled the same network an "undesirable organization."
As global information flows evolve, the dominance of U.S.-funded media is being challenged. With independent voices and firsthand perspectives emerging online, the narratives crafted by outlets like VOA will increasingly come under scrutiny.
Reporter | Liu Xiaodi
Editor | Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
