Voice of America

Voice of America (VOA or VoA) is a defunct international broadcaster funded by the United States government and established in 1942.^[2][3][4] It is the largest and oldest of the American international broadcasters, producing digital, TV, and radio content in 48 languages for affiliate stations around the world.^[5][6][7][8] Its targeted and primary audience is non-Americans outside the American borders, especially those living in countries without press freedom or independent journalism.^[9][10]

VOA was established in 1942, during World War II. Building on American use of shortwave radio during the war, it initially served as an anti-propaganda tool against Axis misinformation but expanded to include other forms of content like American music programs for cultural diplomacy. During the Cold War, its operations expanded in an effort to fight communism and played a role in the decline of communism in several countries. Throughout its operations, it has aimed to broadcast uncensored information to residents under restrictive regimes, even airing behind the Iron Curtain. In response, some countries began investing in technology to jam VOA broadcasts. In 2017, Russia designated VOA a foreign agent, requiring it to establish a Russian legal entity. It was blocked in Russia along with some other western international broadcasters in 2022. Its programming can be accessed by Russian listeners using VPNs and other software. Its journalists often take substantial risks reporting inside repressive regimes.^[11]

It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an independent agency of the U.S. government funded with Congressional approval, which also oversees Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.^[12] Funds are appropriated annually under the budget for embassies and consulates. As of 2022, VOA had a weekly worldwide audience of approximately 326 million (up from 237 million in 2016) and employed 961 staff with an annual budget of $267.5 million.^[1][13][14]

The VOA served its propaganda function by pursuing objective journalism, demonstrating that the US has free press and free speech and providing a contrast for people living in countries where the state exerts tight control over the media. Policies have been implemented to try to preserve its accuracy and independence, including the 1976 VOA charter, which mandates its reporting be "accurate, objective, and comprehensive",^[15][16] and the 1994 U.S. International Broadcasting Act, which prohibits editorial interference by government officials. The agency refers to these laws as its "firewall".

Under the first Trump administration, leadership at the agency was replaced with Trump allies and there were several allegations, both internal and external, of interference in hiring and coverage to be loyal to Trump. In his second administration, Trump signed an executive order cutting funding to the USAGM. On March 14, 2025, almost all of VOA's 1,300 journalists, producers and assistants were placed on administrative leave.^[17][18] The next day, many VOA foreign language broadcasts replaced news and other regularly scheduled programming with music and the VOA website ceased being updated.^[19][20] On May 6, 2025, Kari Lake announced that One America News (OAN), a far-right, pro-Trump network known for promoting conspiracy theories, will provide news coverage for VOA.^[21][22]

On June 20, 2025, layoff notices were sent to 639 VOA employees, completing an 85% reduction in staff at the U.S. Agency for Global Media since the beginning of Trump's second term, and effectively shutting down the service. Of the entire USAGM, 250 employees remain in staff, close to the statutory minimum, with approximately 200 of those at VOA.^[23][24]