Voice of America Halts Broadcasts for First Time in 83 Years as 1,300 Employees Placed on Leave

​More than 1,300 Voice of America (VOA) employees have been placed on administrative leave following an executive order by President Donald Trump to reduce federal bureaucracy, effectively halting the broadcaster's operations for the first time in its 83-year history, Orda reports.

VOA Director Michael Abramowitz stated:

I am deeply saddened that for the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced.

The executive order also impacts other U.S.-funded media organizations under the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, by directing them to reduce operations to their statutory minimums.

Critics argue that these cuts threaten press freedom and diminish the United States' role in promoting free information globally.

The administration justifies the move as part of broader efforts to reduce government size and eliminate unnecessary expenditures.

Original Author: Raushan Korzhumbekova