The Columbia Journalism Review investigates a little-known Voice of America television initiative that quietly broadcast into North Korea from South Korea—until it was recently shut down. The article explores how this short-lived program, launched during the Biden administration, came to an abrupt end under new leadership at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. It raises questions about the shifting priorities in U.S. international broadcasting and how those changes may impact efforts to reach audiences in one of the world’s most closed societies.
Tag Archives: Voice of America
Iran State TV Bombed as USAGM Scrambles to Recall VOA Staff
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Ed, who writes:
Hi Thomas,
Some SWLing Post readers may be interested in seeing video of a television studio of Iranian State broadcaster Iran News Network being bombed during a live broadcast.
Click here to read the story via the AP.
Many SWLing Post readers know that radio and TV broadcast facilities are typically attacked in wartime by opposing military forces to ‘control the airwaves’ and influence public opinion. It will be interesting to see if/when the Israeli military starts clandestine broadcasts into Iran.
Reportedly U.S. Agency for Global Media’s (USAGM) is seeking to re-hire many workers it recently fired in a mass USAGM purge, now that the U.S. needs to broadcast into Middle East conflict zones and influence public opinion using Alhurra TV, Radio Sawa, and VOA.
-Ed
ABC Radio National: “The silencing of Voice of America”
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mangosman, who shares this Rear Vision audio documentary from ABC Radio National. It explores the rise, influence, and eventual dismantling of the Voice of America, offering context on how international broadcasting shaped geopolitics during—and after—the Cold War:
VOA and OAN Partnership Draws National Attention
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has announced a new partnership wherein Voice of America (VOA) will incorporate content from One America News Network (OAN), a media outlet known for its conservative perspective. This decision, introduced by USAGM senior adviser Kari Lake, aims to provide VOA with additional news resources at no cost. The move has sparked discussions regarding VOA’s commitment to impartial journalism, as outlined in its charter. While proponents highlight potential cost savings and expanded content offerings, critics express concern over the implications for VOA’s editorial independence. This development follows recent operational changes at VOA, including staff reductions and legal challenges concerning its governance.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the following articles:
- NPR: Kari Lake says OAN’s far-right coverage will fuel Voice of America
- Fox 4: Trump administration will provide programming from conservative network OAN for Voice of America
- The Washington Post: Voice of America will carry One America News programming
- The Hill: Voice of America, One America News partnership
- The Guardian: ‘Maduro did not close our bureau – Trump did’: Voice of America journalists speak out
- CNN: Voice of America, One America News partnership
- U.S. News: Right-wing One America News to provide newsfeed to Voice of America
- Wikipedia: One America News Network
Note that, at time of posting (May 7, 2025 20:45 UTC), there has been no official USAGM press release (click here to check).
A Sampling of Coverage: Federal Judge Orders USAGM Staff Reinstated
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:
Judge orders Trump administration to bring back U.S. Agency for Global Media staff (Government Executive)
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…]
Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Attempt To Dismantle VOA And Sister Networks. (Inside Radio)
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…]
Judge orders Trump administration to restore Voice of America (The Hill)
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…]
Judge: The Dismantling Of The VOA Stops And Employees Can Go Back To Work
Published by SWLing.com contributor Paul Walker
From Politico:
A federal judge agreed Tuesday to block the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America, the 83-year-old international news service created by Congress.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration illegally required Voice of America to cease operations for the first time since its World War II-era inception.
(Their article is here: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/22/voice-of-america-donald-trump-00303983)
From The Washington Post:
Staffers at the government-funded Voice of America news service can go back to work, a federal judge in Washington ruled on Tuesday.
Another article is here: https://democracyforward.org/updates/voa-pi-granted/
Associated Press Story: https://apnews.com/article/voice-of-america-trump-f30c48df0c16de622ec5fd99ee6c627c
Tuning Out Tibet: The Closure of VOA and RFA Tibetan Broadcasts
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?