Adedokun Waliyu 
In this June 15, 2020, photo, The Voice of America building in Washington (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
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United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Voice of America (VOA),
Trump accused the federally funded VOA of promoting “radical propaganda” and being “anti-Trump”.
The White House said the order will ensure taxpayers no longer fund biased content, citing criticism from politicians and right-wing media outlets.
VOA, established during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, reaches hundreds of millions globally each week.
The order targets VOA’s parent company, US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also funds non-profit entities Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia.
These organisations were initially set up to counter communism. Managers have been instructed to minimise operations to the bare minimum required by law.
VOA employees were said to have received notification of the changes via email from Crystal Thomas, USAGM human resources director.
Freelance workers and international contractors were reportedly also informed of a funding halt, while federal grants for Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were terminated.
Mike Abramowitz, VOA’s director, said he and nearly all 1,300 staff members were placed on paid leave following the order.
Abramowitz added that the move hinders VOA’s critical mission, especially amidst rising misinformation from US adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia.
Trump has historically criticised VOA, and recently appointed loyalist Kari Lake as a special adviser for USAGM.
The president frequently claims mainstream media outlets are biased against him, labelling CNN and MSNBC “corrupt” during a justice department speech.
VOA was launched in 1942 to combat Nazi and Japanese propaganda, with its first broadcast transmitted on a BBC-loaned device.
Former President Gerald Ford signed VOA’s public charter in 1976 to safeguard editorial independence.
