In 2020, as the Covid pandemic began to unfold, a reporter for Voice of America (VOA) was stationed in Europe. The reporter quickly formed a controversial opinion, believing the virus was created in a lab as part of Chinese bioweapons research. This led to a piece being published, but soon after, the VOA’s managing editor instructed the staff to avoid any geopolitical context in their reporting. Instead, they were directed to focus on human interest stories, such as people in Spain singing from their balconies during lockdowns.
This shift in focus raised eyebrows, especially as it coincided with an influx of Chinese and Cuban medical teams arriving in Europe. Critics argue that VOA, which is funded by the U.S. government, should be countering foreign propaganda, particularly from countries like Russia and China, rather than limiting its scope.
Recently, President Trump proposed shutting down VOA and its parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), citing concerns over wasteful spending. This decision comes amidst a global media landscape filled with anti-American sentiment, particularly from adversarial nations. With international news outlets like the BBC and Germany’s DW often critical of Trump, there are fears that the U.S. is losing its voice in the global conversation.
The White House has expressed frustration with VOA, claiming it has strayed from its mission to counter communist propaganda and promote American values. Former VOA staff members have noted a shift towards a more liberal narrative, which has alienated conservative voices. One former executive producer remarked that it has become challenging to maintain an anti-communist stance within the agency.
Under the Trump administration, Michael Pack was appointed to lead USAGM. He encouraged VOA to develop independent reporting rather than following mainstream media narratives. However, delays in his confirmation meant that significant changes were not implemented before the Biden administration took over, leading to further leftward drift at VOA.
The agency’s previous acting director, Yolanda López, faced allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Critics pointed to specific content produced under her leadership that they felt strayed from VOA’s core mission, including pieces that focused on social issues rather than international news. There were also allegations of censorship within the Farsi language service, where critics of the Iranian regime were reportedly banned.
The situation at VOA has drawn attention from lawmakers, who are concerned that the agency is not effectively countering misinformation from hostile nations. In Cuba, for instance, the agency has been accused of shifting its focus away from critical human rights issues to topics that resonate less with the local population.
As the U.S. faces increasing challenges in the information sphere, some former VOA employees are calling for a complete overhaul of the agency. They suggest creating smaller teams focused on specific regions, utilizing social media to reach audiences more effectively.
The urgency of reforming VOA has never been clearer, especially as global narratives become more hostile to American interests. The agency’s established audience and resources could be a vital asset in promoting American values and countering misinformation if managed correctly.