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:

Click here to check it out at ABC Radio National.

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:

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?

Silent Signals: Recordings from Shortwave Stations Affected by Recent Shutdowns

Tuning controls on one of the 500 kW Continental Electronics transmitters at the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Site. Click to enlarge.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who shares the following recordings and writes:

Hi Thomas

As a result of recent actions by the Trump administration, a number of shortwave stations have recently gone silent. Whether or not this will change is anybody’s guess, but the situation is currently looking grim.

I am providing links to some recordings that I have recently uploaded to the Internet Archive of a few of the affected stations. These recordings were made through the use of remote SDR’s in order to provide optimal quality. I used to particularly enjoy the programs of Radyo Pilipinas and Radio Thailand world service. Have a listen here to potential radio history.

Radio Marti February 15, 2025 in Spanish:

Audio Player

Voice of America (Africa) via Botswana transmitter January 19, 2025:

Audio Player

Radyo Pilipinas via VOA Tinang Philippines December 10, 2024:

Audio Player

Radio Thailand via Udon Thani December 17 and 23, 2024:

Audio Player Audio Player