Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares illustrated radio listening report of a special Vatican Radio broadcast.
Carlos notes:
Part of Vatican Radio’s news bulletin (in English) about Pope Francis’ funeral. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on XHDATA D-808 receiver.
Readers of the SWLing Post have been sharing various articles concerning the recent ruling by a federal judge, which directs the Trump administration to reinstate the USAGM staff. This decision was initially reported by Paul Walker earlier this week. Below is further analysis from several news sources shared by Ed C, Ron Smith, and Dennis Dura:
The president in an executive order sought to eliminate the agency’s non-statutory components and functions, but a federal judge criticized how officials determined what parts of USAGM aren’t required by law.
A federal judge on Tuesday issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Trump administration to bring back staff at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which the president has sought to dismantle.
Specifically, District Judge Royce C. Lamberth is requiring Trump officials to return employees and contractors who were put on leave or terminated to their statuses before March 14, when Trump signed an executive order directing the elimination of non-statutory components and functions at USAGM as well as other agencies.
As a result of the EO, many employees were let go at government-funded outlets that aim to provide news to people living in restricted media environments around the world, including Voice of America. [Continue reading…]
A federal court has thrown a wrench into efforts initiated by the Trump administration to wind down Voice of America and its affiliated networks, with a judge ruling that the shutdown was likely unlawful.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth issued a sweeping injunction Tuesday, ordering the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)—the parent agency of VOA—to reinstate the operations of VOA and its associated broadcasters. Lamberth also mandated that the agency restore employment for workers placed on administrative leave and prohibited any staffing reductions while the legal battle plays out, The Hill reports. [Continue reading…]
A federal judge on Tuesday found the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) and affiliated news services likely were unlawful, indefinitely blocking the shuttering of the government-funded news outlet and affiliated news services.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered VOA’s parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), to restore VOA and other outlets under the USAGM’s umbrella and barred the agency from preventing them from serving as “consistently reliable and authoritative” news sources, as is required by law.
He also directed the USAGM to restore employment to its workers placed on leave and not reduce its workforce while litigation continues, in addition to continuing funding for international broadcasting. [Continue reading…]
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer for also sharing the following article from Tibetan Review. This piece raises questions about the future of Tibetan-language broadcasting and the broader implications of VOA and RFA closures:
Click here to read: The Silencing of Tibetan Voices: Who Benefits and Who Loses from the Closure of VOA and RFA?
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fred Waterer, who shares the following post from James Cridland’s blog and notes:
Overseas listeners could listen to BBC Domestic broadcasts, then they couldn’t, then they might be able to and then they might be able to for a fee and then who knows….
https://james.cridland.net/blog/2025/bbc-radio-overseas-what-now/
Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station in North Carolina
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking efforts by the Trump administration to shut down Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-funded international broadcasters. The judge determined that the administration’s actions may have exceeded its authority, as the broadcasters were established by Congress.
The court decision follows recent moves to suspend operations and funding for networks like VOA, Radio Marti, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Some services have since resumed limited operations while legal challenges continue.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) from cutting off funding to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, citing a lack of proper justification. The ruling allows the network to continue operations while the legal case moves forward.
With thanks to Atsuhiko Takezawa in the World Radio & Television Handbook Facebook group for the tip-off
Starting March 31st, Radio Nacional will broadcast a 10 minute program in english and spanish at 01:50UTC!
EBC’s Executive Radio Manager Thiago Regotto says this new programming is in response to listener requests when they send in reception reports from other countries. The network will use this programming to highlight some content that has aired on international or cultural topics that have a relevance beyond Brazil, highlighting Radio Nacional as a broadcaster without borders.
The programming will air on the entire Radio Nacional Network, which includes the shortwave outlets at 6180khz (100kw, 239 deg az. beam) and 11780khz (100kw, 312 deg az. beam)
Full original announcement in Portuguese at this link
Full original announcement translated to English at this link
Sunday March 30th Edit: Paul Walker here, I originally posted this article. I realize I may have made a mistake when posting this. The original announcement specified 1050pm local time March 31st, which would be 01050UTC April 1st. I jumbled up some dates/numbers on this, so it may not start till UTC time April 1st. My apologies for the mistake, if in fact I made one.