Why the World Still Needs the Voice of America For decades, VOA opened windows to the world for millions living under censorship. Former U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum says VOA was “an essential source of information for society, the government, and our embassy.” Now that voice has been silenced and America’s global influence is paying the price. “Our competitors and adversaries are broadcasting. We’re not,” he warns. #SaveVOA #PressFreedom #short

Why Silencing VOA is a Self-inflicted Wound “Anyone who wants to keep America first should keep Voice of America in business.” Edward P. Joseph, Senior Fellow at the SAIS Foreign Policy Institute, warns that shutting down VOA creates a dangerous vacuum that hostile actors will fill. Putting VOA last puts America at risk. #SaveVOA #PressFreedom #short

Since the suspension of major radio broadcasts aimed at North Korea, the flow of information from the outside world into North Korea has drastically declined.

The White House shutdown of Voice Of America has opened the door to propaganda by Russian and Chinese influencers in countries from Africa to Asia, furloughed staff of the news service warned Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the National Press Club.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s canceling of collective bargaining rights for workers at the US Agency for Global Media, in a blow to efforts to invalidate union rights for large swaths of the federal workforce.

Steven Herman, the former White House and chief national correspondent for Voice of America, gave a 45-minute speech at Illini Country Club Wednesday night that that the Trump Administration surely wouldn’t have liked. In a packed room that included U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Herman chastised the government’s incursions on freedom of the press that have […]

VOA and the Power of American Values “When regimes twist reality and silence dissent, there must be a voice that cuts through. For generations the Voice of America has been that voice,” says Professor Eric Shiraev from George Mason University, highlighting why independent journalism and press freedom remain essential today. #SaveVOA #PressFreedom #short

What can you get with $1.60? More than you think. You can help protect press freedom here at home and around the world. We had that before. And we can have it again. Call Congress. Tell them you want your $1.60 to support Voice of America and the mission of independent journalism.

The White House shutdown of Voice Of America has opened the door to propaganda by Russian and Chinese influencers in countries from Africa to Asia, furloughed staff of the news service warned last night at the National Press Club. During a cocktail reception and discussion about the status of VOA, three staffers from the government news service said Donald Trump inadvertently helped communist countries when he pulled the plug on America’s independent news service. “Russian propaganda and Chinese state media… they are filling the frequencies that we used to occupy,” said Jessica Jerreat, a former VOA Press Freedom Editor who was placed on leave as part of the Trump administration’s effort to shut down the service. “Before we had independent balanced news… Now it’s filled with propaganda," said Jerreat, arguing that America is “ceding space” to communist countries that use news services to advance their own political ends, while VOA staffer Kathryn Neeper said simply: “Russians and Chinese are incredibly eager to fill this gap.” CNBC Washington correspondent and Press Freedom Team chair Emily Wilkins, far right, introduces the panel from VOA, all named plaintiffs in the suit against AGM. L-R: Kate Neeper, director of strategy and performance assessment at AGM; Jessica Jerreat, VOA press freedom editor; and Patsy Widakuswara, VOA White House bureau chief. Photo: Alan Kotok For his part, Trump and his allies have argued that VOA presents a biased and distorted view of the politics colored by liberal ideology. Some also argued that the news service, which began operating in 1942 as a way of countering Nazi propaganda, has outlived its usefulness, since many people globally rely on getting news and information off the Internet, via Signal, WhatsApp or other outlets. In March, the majority of VOA staff were placed on leave and most of the programming ended. The Trump appointed head of VOA, Kari Lake, has said she intends to dismantle the agency completely and she’s cut contracts, dumped equipment and even terminated the agency’s leased space to accomplish her goal. In June, layoffs notices were sent to 639 VOA staff, though the outcome of those firings has been tied up in a court case in which Jerreat is a plaintiff, along with Neeper and reporter Patsy Widakuswara. Widakuswara, who also attended last night’s Press Freedom discussion of the case, called herself a “naughty girl who knows a good lawyer” and had served as VOA's White House Bureau chief before she was reassigned and then placed on leave. She’s become a hero for some reporters by challenging Trump but she also became a lightning rod for controversy by giving the thin skinned president an extra reason to hate VOA. Widakuswara said the case involving VOA is “ about press freedom overall in this country… the attack on it is happening to many of our peers” across journalism. “Our  independent journalism does not align with this president,” she added. Neeper, who also spoke at the reception last night, served as the Director of Strategy and Performance Assessment at VOA. She asked that the audience go to bat for the news service. “You can call your members of Congress and plug VOA. That’s all you have to do,” Neeper said. She encouraged journalists and others to help VOA production staff by proof reading their resumes to assist them with finding new jobs and to consider donating to an employee assistance fund, which has been used to help some laid off staff pay their medical bills or remain in the United States. Many VOA staff are not U.S. citizens and rely on their work at VOA as a condition for staying in the country. But leaving after reporting on authoritarian governments overseas puts them into potential danger, because of the possible retribution when they return to their native countries. The legal case brought in federal court against the Trump administration over the attempt to close down VOA centers on a legal argument that the agency acted improperly when it ordered staff not to report to work, suspended contractors, turned off service, and locked the agency's doors. The budget shutdown of the majority of the federal government back on October 1 has delayed some of the legal proceedings in the case, though Jerreat is hopeful that U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who is presiding over the VOA case, has previously blocked some administration efforts and could still be a savior to VOA. “The judge seems very sympathetic to the case,” she said last night. The discussion was moderated by CNBC correspondent and former National Press Club President Emily Wilkins, who took about six questions from the audience of about 25 people.

75 Years of Truth: VOA’s Bridge Between the U.S. and Ukraine Adrian Karmazyn, former chief of VOA’s Ukrainian Service, reflects on how, for 75 years, the Voice of America has served as a vital bridge between the people of the United States and Ukraine — through the Cold War, Ukraine’s independence, two democratic revolutions, and now Russia’s invasion. #SaveVOA #VOAUkraine #PressFreedom #short

When the government shutdown ends, the clock will start ticking again for Kari Lake and USAGM to respond to Judge Royce Lamberth’s September 29 order demanding they comply with his April preliminary injunction to restore VOA programming and fulfill our statutory mandate. That order halted Lake's mass layoffs of journalists and staff, which had been scheduled to take effect on September 30. The named plaintiffs in Widakuswara v. Lake bring you up to date on the status of our lawsuit to restore VOA’s independent journalism. #SaveVOA

On Wednesday, November 12 at 6 p.m. National Press Club members and Press Freedom Center staff will be joined by Jessica Jerreat and Patsy Widakuswara, who will discuss their work with SaveVOA as press freedom advocates. This reception is designed to bring the Club community together and celebrate the vital work of the Press Freedom Center. Don't miss a chance to learn more about how the Press Freedom Center is advancing press freedom initiatives through personal engagement and meaningful intervention - and how Club members can support and amplify that work. Want to join the Press Freedom Team? Sign up here.

The Voice of America: The Sound of Truth In a powerful tribute, Former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili recalls how his parents listened secretly to the Voice of America during the Soviet era — a rare connection to truth beyond propaganda. He says the Voice of America “helped win two world wars — against fascism and against lies,” and urges America to keep that voice alive in today’s age of disinformation. #SaveVOE #VOEGeorgia #PressFreedom #short

Author: Devin Windelspecht, MScNovember 7, 2025HRRC expresses grave concern on the suspension of Radio Free Asia (RFA)’s operations. It calls on the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to restore government contracts previously approved by congress that fund Radio Free Asia and other USAGM-funded media outlets.Radio Free Asia (RFA) has suspended its operations for the first time in its nearly thirty year history as a result of massive government cuts to its budget, bringing to a halt to decades

“VOA Is Not Nostalgia — It’s Strategy.” Ex-Ambassador Archie Gegeshidze says ending VOA’s Georgian Service was a mistake in an era of disinformation. Restoring it, he adds, would rebuild trust, strengthen democracy, and remind the world that truth still matters. #SaveVOA #VOAGeorgian #short

Voice of America: A Strategic Bridge for Democracy and Stability “Voice of America is an essential instrument for democracy.” Former Georgian Ambassador to the U.S. Tedo Japaridze says VOA has played a strategic role in bringing truthful information to decision-makers, helping nations like Georgia understand global affairs, strengthen democracy, and uphold U.S. values in rapidly transforming regions such as the South Caucasus. #SaveVOA #PressFreedom #short