US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to shut down Voice of America (VOA), the country’s oldest and largest international media organization.
Trump accused the network of pursuing a radical anti-Trump agenda.
Voice of America was established in 1942 during World War II as a broadcasting network to counter Nazi and Japanese propaganda. Initially, it operated using transmission equipment leased from the BBC.
Today, VOA broadcasts in 48 languages worldwide across multiple platforms, including radio, television, and digital media. Its daily global audience exceeds 361 million.
The transformation of VOA into a state-controlled media organization was formalized by then-President Gerald Ford in 1976. Since then, it has been operated by the US government and funded with federal resources, with an annual budget exceeding $267 million.
Recently, Elon Musk, a presidential advisor, publicly called for the closure of VOA through his X account.
Following the president’s decision, approximately 1,300 employees have been placed on unpaid leave.
Critics argue that shutting down America’s oldest international media network is a clear indication of the Trump administration’s efforts to suppress the press. International media organizations have condemned the move, calling it a serious blow to press freedom.
