Closure Of VOA And Radio Free Europe, Azadi Radio and Mashaal Pashto Radio While the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to block funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that had been allocated by Congress, listeners of the station’s various branches and readers of its websites in different countries have raised their voices in support, praising its journalism. From Pakistan to Ukraine, from Afghanistan to Russia, and from Iran to Belarus, audiences in various regions have commended the courage, neutrality, and fact-based journalism of RFE/RL journalists, who report from the front lines of war, under oppressive political conditions, and in highly challenging media environments. Many have expressed concern over the potential shutdown of the station. A listener of RFE/RL’s Iranian service, known as Radio Farda, wrote on Telegram that he lives in a “small village in Iran” where there is “no satellite or reliable internet.” He added that in such circum...
End Of VOA Today. From Director News Of VOA On his last Working Day. I am deeply saddened that for the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced. I learned this morning that virtually the entire staff of Voice of America—more than 1300 journalists, producers and support staff—has been placed on administrative leave today. So have I. VOA needs thoughtful reform, and we have made progress in that regard. But today’s action will leave Voice of America unable to carry out its vital mission. That mission is especially critical today, when America’s adversaries, like Iran, China, and Russia, are sinking billions of dollars into creating false narratives to discredit the United States. VOA promotes freedom and democracy around the world by telling America’s story and by providing objective and balanced news and information, especially for those living under tyranny. Even if the agency survives in some form, the actions being taken today by the Administration ...