USAGM

U.S. Agency for Global Media General Counsel David Kligerman stands for a portrait in Washington, D.C, on Jan. 25. He was one of the six executives who faced retaliation under the agency's former CEO, Michael Pack.

Politics & Government

A Report Clears Federal Officials Who Were Suspended By A Trump Appointee Over VOA

9:21am July 10, 2021

by David Folkenflik

The State Department inspector general says six executives at the U.S. Agency for Global Media were unfairly punished after they raised concerns about steps taken under Trump appointee Michael Pack.

In June 2020, Libby Liu announced she would step down as head of the Open Technology Fund the following month. But newly appointed U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack fired her effective immediately.

Politics & Government

'I Was Speechless': Law Firm Investigated Its Own Ex-Client For Trump VOA Chief

6:05pm March 10, 2021

by David Folkenflik

As part of a contract that earned it more than $2 million in taxpayer money, McGuireWoods investigated an ex-client - a not-for-profit tech fund - for Trump's CEO at the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Former U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack contracted with a private law firm to investigate his own staff, a task usually done by government specialists.

Politics & Government

Trump Appointee At VOA Parent Paid Law Firm Millions To Investigate His Own Staff

8:41pm March 04, 2021

by David Folkenflik

Trump appointee Michael Pack hoped to fire top executives who challenged him at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. When he couldn't, Pack paid a high-profile law firm millions to investigate them.

U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack.

Politics & Government

Voice of America CEO Accused Of Fraud, Misuse of Office All In One Week

7:38pm January 08, 2021

by David Folkenflik

U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack faces accusations of fraud over his private documentary film company and separate allegations he's promoting propaganda at Voice of America.

The headquarters of the U.S. government's premier international broadcaster, Voice of America, in Washington, D.C.

Politics & Government

'Substantial Likelihood Of Wrongdoing' By VOA Parent Agency, Government Watchdog Says

7:46pm December 02, 2020

by David Folkenflik

The U.S. Special Counsel ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media to conduct a sweeping internal investigation, after finding a "substantial likelihood of wrongdoing" toward the Voice of America.

Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Beryl Howell issued a preliminary injunction against Michael Pack and the U.S. Agency for Global Media from influencing any editorial decisions or personnel.

Trump Appointee Unconstitutionally Interfered With VOA, Judge Rules

3:15pm November 21, 2020

by David Folkenflik

A federal judge ordered the CEO over the Voice of America to stop investigating its journalists for anti-Trump bias, saying he caused "self-censorship and the chilling of First Amendment expression."

Queue Listen Now

The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building in Washington.

Politics & Government

Voice of America's 5 Months Under Trump CEO: Lawsuits, Bias Claims, And A Sex Scandal

1:51pm November 20, 2020

by David Folkenflik

Michael Pack is nearing the close of his turbulent tenure as CEO of the parent agency to the Voice of America. After firings and claims of bias, staffers say they fear more damage on his way out.

U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack dismissed the heads of all its broadcasters when he took office in June.

U.S. Agency Targets Its Own Journalists' Independence

9:06am October 27, 2020

by David Folkenflik

In a late-night move to assert editorial control, the CEO of the U.S. international broadcasting agency rescinded a rule which established a "firewall" between the newsroom and political appointees.

U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack was found by a D.C. judge to have broken the law when he seized control of a fund intended to design ways for people living under repressive regimes to have secure access to the Web.

Politics & Government

Judge Finds U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Broke Law In Seizing Control Of Fund

5:00am October 17, 2020

by David Folkenflik

Judge rules against USAGM CEO Michael Pack's moves to dismiss top executives and board of a fund that helps people who live under repressive regimes to access the Web and to communicate securely.

A purge at the U.S. Agency for Global Media has fueled concerns that broadcasters like Radio Free Europe will be turned into distributors of propaganda on behalf of the Trump administration.

Purge Of Senior Officials At Foreign Broadcast Agency Stirs Fear And Outrage

2:50pm August 15, 2020

by David Welna

Half a dozen top executives at the U.S. Agency for Global Media were ousted this week, the latest in a shake-up that started with the arrival of a conservative filmmaker as the agency's new chief.