Layoff notices have been sent to 639 employees of the Voice of America (VOA) and its overseeing agency, marking a significant reduction in the organization that has provided news globally since World War II. The layoffs were announced on Friday and affect various services, including the Persian-language division that had recently resumed broadcasts to Iran amid escalating tensions following Israel’s attack.
Last week, employees of the Persian service were abruptly called back from administrative leave to report on the situation in Iran. However, three journalists who stepped outside for a cigarette break found themselves barred from re-entering the office, with their badges confiscated. This incident highlights the suddenness of the layoffs and the uncertainty facing the remaining staff.
Since March, approximately 1,400 employees, or 85 percent of VOA’s workforce, have lost their jobs. Kari Lake, a senior adviser to former President Trump, described this as a necessary step to dismantle what she called a "bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy." She criticized the agency for being inefficient and biased, claiming that American taxpayers should not support it any longer.
VOA was initially established to broadcast news about American democracy to Nazi Germany and has since grown to serve audiences in countries where free press is not a tradition. However, the Trump administration has frequently clashed with the media, alleging bias against conservative viewpoints. This conflict has extended to proposals to cut federal funding for other public media outlets like PBS and NPR.
Most VOA staff members have been on administrative leave since mid-March, with their broadcasts largely silenced. Some employees are currently challenging the administration’s actions in court, and among those receiving layoff notices were three individuals involved in the lawsuit. They expressed their concerns, stating that the layoffs represent the end of 83 years of independent journalism that embodies U.S. values of democracy and freedom.
One anonymous employee from the Persian service shared their fear of leaving the office, even after being informed that their work had stopped, until they received a layoff notice. Steve Herman, VOA’s chief national correspondent, described the layoffs as a historic mistake, suggesting that it weakens the U.S. government’s ability to influence international audiences positively.
The future of VOA’s programming remains uncertain. The Trump-supporting One American News Network has offered to use its signal, but it is unclear what will happen next. Herman expressed skepticism about the possibility of VOA being revived, even under a different administration. He fears that as time goes on, viewers will find new sources for news, making it harder for VOA to regain its audience.
As the dust settles on these layoffs, the impact on independent journalism and the dissemination of news worldwide is still unfolding.