The Trump administration has announced the termination of funding for Voice of America, citing violations of journalistic standards and political bias. The White House stated that taxpayers would no longer be responsible for funding what it described as radical propaganda. The decision was accompanied by a list of grievances against the broadcaster, accusing it of promoting anti-Trump narratives and failing to maintain impartiality.
According to the administration, Voice of America published materials that were critical of Trump and his policies, including coverage of Russian interference in US politics and the Hunter Biden laptop scandal. The White House also claimed that the broadcaster had hired individuals with alleged anti-American views and had failed to uphold editorial independence in its coverage of China.
The administration pointed to a 2019 case where Voice of America was accused of cancelling a broadcast under pressure from the Chinese government. Another example included its reporting on transgender migrants seeking asylum in the United States, which the Trump administration viewed as politically motivated content.
In addition to the allegations of bias, the White House criticised Voice of America for its internal policies, including its stance on how to refer to Hamas. The broadcaster had reportedly instructed staff not to label Hamas members as terrorists unless citing official statements.
This decision is part of a broader effort by Trump to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy. The funding cut affects the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America and other international media outlets such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty. Critics argue that defunding these organisations weakens the US’s ability to counter misinformation from authoritarian regimes. Radio Liberty President Stephen Capus described the decision as a strategic mistake that benefits adversaries like Iran, China, and other autocratic governments.
