The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has initiated widespread layoffs at the Voice of America and other media organizations funded by the United States government.
This decision was made within 24 hours following the placement of all employees on leave; those employed on a contractual basis received electronic correspondence stating that their employment would be terminated effective at the conclusion of March.
“You must cease all work immediately and are not permitted to access any agency buildings or systems,” the email confirmed to AFP, several employees told contract workers.
A significant proportion of the workforce at the Voice of America consists of contractors, who predominantly fill positions within the non-English language services, although specific recent data was not readily accessible.
A considerable number of these contractors are not citizens of the United States, thereby implying that they are likely reliant on their impendingly eliminated positions for visa support to remain within the United States.
Consequently, the majority of full-time employees at the Voice of America, who possess greater legal protections, have not been immediately dismissed but are currently on administrative leave with instructions to refrain from work.
Established during World War II, the Voice of America disseminates broadcasts globally in 49 languages, with the mission of reaching audiences in nations where media freedom is restricted.
In affirming this development, Liam Scott, a reporter for the Voice of America who specializes in issues of press freedom and disinformation, indicated that he too would be terminated on March 31, 2025.
The Trump administration’s destruction of VOA and sister outlets “is part of its efforts to dismantle the government more broadly—but it’s also part of the administration’s broader assault on press freedom and the media,” he wrote on X.
“I’ve covered press freedom for a long time, and I’ve never seen something like what’s happened in the US over the past couple of months.”
In light of the situation at the Voice of America, several of its services have resorted to playing music due to a lack of new programming content.
It is noteworthy that in previous instances, the Trump administration has encountered legal disputes following the dismissal of probationary employees across various federal departments, including those of Defense, Agriculture, Energy, Interior, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs.
