U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered over 1,300 Voice of America (VOA) employees to placed on leave while also cutting funding for Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia. Decision has drawn sharp criticism from Reporters Without Borders and other organizations advocating press freedom.

VOA trusted government-funded media outlet in U.S. has played significant role in providing reliable news for decades. Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda. VOA now broadcasts in over 50 languages to an estimated 360 million people weekly.

Michael Abramowitz – VOA’s director, confirmed the decision in LinkedIn post stating that this is first time in 83 years that the multilingual news service has faced such disruption. Along with journalists and assistant directors Abramowitz himself placed on administrative leave.

Budget for VOA in 2024 was approximately $886 million. But the latest directive has left a significant portion of its staff inactive. Reports indicate that employees, including the Seoul bureau chief have already been cut off from official systems and accounts.

Pro-Trump officials have labeled VOA and similar media organizations as ineffective arguing. They impose an unnecessary burden on taxpayers and require downsizing. Critics fear this move could severely limit the flow of unbiased information in authoritarian countries like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea.

Decision has sparked international backlash, with Reporters Without Borders and various pro-free speech organizations expressing deep concern. Experts warn that limiting platforms like VOA and Radio Free Europe. May further restrict access to independent news for citizens in tightly controlled regimes.