In a significant move, the Trump administration announced mass layoffs on Friday, targeting the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees the Voice of America (VOA) and its affiliated news outlets.
The layoffs come at a time when foreign journalists working for these federally funded networks are grappling with the implications of newfound uncertainty regarding their safety and support from the U.S. government.
The new layoffs eliminate approximately 1,400 jobs, which constitutes about 85% of positions within the agency.
This directive aligns with an executive order issued in March by President Donald Trump, as stated by Senior White House Adviser Kari Lake, who emphasized a need to address alleged dysfunction, bias, and waste within the agency.
Critics, however, have expressed grave concerns about the effects of these cuts on the agency’s mission to provide objective news coverage to regions under oppressive regimes, as highlighted by Michael Abramowitz, director of the Voice of America.
Abramowitz criticized the drastic layoffs, stating, “The scope of the agency’s actions appears massive and would eviscerate Voice of America’s congressionally mandated role.” Despite being on involuntary paid administrative leave, he has not yet received a layoff notice.
Prior to the latest layoffs, Lake had already terminated over 500 contractors at the Voice of America, many of whom were foreign citizens providing vital journalistic skills.
Lake has also attempted to withhold congressional funds designated for other international networks, which operate as independent nonprofits, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
This move has bred skepticism among non-American journalists regarding the U.S. government’s commitment to safeguarding their interests, especially in scenarios of possible political retaliation by their native countries.
Farid Mehralizada, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter, was sentenced to nine years of imprisonment in Azerbaijan on charges deemed spurious by his superiors and human rights organizations.
In a statement shared with NPR, Mehralizada expressed his commitment to educating his fellow citizens about economic processes necessary for sustainable development.
He lamented the current state of journalism in Azerbaijan, stating, “Unfortunately, journalism in our country today is almost equated with terrorism.”
As he awaits potential appeals, he has missed the birth of his child, underscoring the personal toll of his imprisonment.
In light of the dangers facing journalists, RFE/RL President Stephen Capus has called for Mehralizada’s immediate release, stating that such cases exemplify the severe risks involved in reporting uncomfortable truths.
Other journalists from RFE/RL face similar circumstances of incarceration in countries like Belarus, Russia, and Crimea, while Vietnamese freelance reporters are also serving lengthy prison sentences in Vietnam.
Similarly, three Voice of America journalists are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan, Myanmar, and Vietnam, highlighting the perilous global landscape for journalists working for U.S.-funded media outlets.
Against this backdrop, numerous VOA journalists, particularly those from countries hostile to the U.S. or repressive in their treatment of the media, are scrambling to secure their futures.
Many are faced with the expiration of their non-immigrant J-1 visas, prompting them to seek employment, with some exploring asylum options in the United States.
A specific Voice of America journalist, whose identity is withheld for safety reasons, expressed fears of retribution if forced to return to a repressive regime where journalists face severe consequences for their work.
He explained how media outlets in his home country are shut down following critical coverage of the government, leaving journalists vulnerable to accusations of espionage.
“They see people working for international networks as a spy. I can just disappear, you know? They could kidnap me or [I could] go to jail,” he shared.
His concerns extend to the safety of his family, amplifying the anxiety surrounding these layoffs and the potential abandonment by the U.S. government.
Ivana Konstantinovic, a former news anchor and producer for the Voice of America’s Serbian-language service, expressed similar sentiments.
Having previously experienced termination during the first Trump term, she noted the increasing hostility toward independent journalists in her home country.
She highlighted a deteriorating environment for press freedom, noting that attacks against journalists have been on the rise in Serbia, as documented by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Jessica Jerreat, the press freedom editor at Voice of America, criticized the recent executive order as an indication of disregard for the contributions of foreign journalists.
“Now they’re just discarded,” Jerreat stated, emphasizing the expertise and commitment these journalists have consistently brought to their roles.
The situation underscores a precarious future for many foreign journalists affiliated with U.S.-based news organizations, raising alarms about the protection and support they might receive amid growing political turbulence.
As these journalists navigate their uncertain futures, the overarching narrative remains one of confusion and concern regarding their safety and the sustainability of their work in often dangerous environments.
image source from：npr
