voice of america

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."

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In a late-night move to assert editorial control, the CEO of the U.S. international broadcasting agency rescinded a rule which established a "firewall" between the newsroom and political appointees.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

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., has proposed legislation to outlaw political tampering with the newsroom coverage produced by Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia and other U.S. government-funded broadcasters.

Politics & Government

Citing Scandal, Senator Proposes Stronger Protections For VOA Newsroom

7:04pm October 15, 2020

by David Folkenflik

Sen. Chris Murphy says his bill would "make it totally crystal, 100 percent clear" that political appointees cannot interfere with news coverage, including of President Trump.

A lawsuit accuses CEO Michael Pack of illegally seeking to influence the Voice of America's news coverage. In one instance, he required a link to administration editorials be placed on VOA's home page, the suit says.

Politics & Government

Ex-Officials' Lawsuit Says Trump-Appointed CEO Broke Laws At Voice Of America

7:53pm October 08, 2020

by David Folkenflik

Five executives, now suspended, accuse U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack of illegally interfering in newsroom coverage of President Trump, Joe Biden and Black Lives Matter.

An investigation by political appointees into Steve Herman, the Voice of America's White House bureau chief, for anti-Trump bias is the latest act that may break federal laws promising its journalistic independence.

Politics & Government

Political Aides Investigate VOA White House Reporter For Anti-Trump Bias

9:20pm October 04, 2020

by David Folkenflik

An investigation by political appointees into the Voice of America's White House bureau chief for anti-Trump bias is the latest act that may break federal laws promising its journalistic independence.

Key Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill are scrutinizing Michael Pack, CEO of the U.S. agency that oversees Voice of America.

Politics & Government

Voice Of America CEO In The Hot Seat: Democratic Lawmakers Bear Down On Pack

1:08pm September 21, 2020

by David Folkenflik

Two senior Democratic lawmakers are sharply questioning moves by Trump appointee Michael Pack, the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The agency oversees the Voice of America.

Investigating the journalism produced by Voice of America is one of the tasks lawyer Sam Dewey has taken on since joining the broadcaster's parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Politics & Government

Attorney Hired To Probe VOA's Coverage Has Active Protective Order Against Him

11:34pm September 08, 2020

by David Folkenflik

The CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Michael Pack, has accused executives of hiring practices that imperil national security. The investigator Pack hired has a protective order against him.

U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack may have breached a firewall meant to insulate Voice of America journalism from political meddling.

At Voice of America, Trump Appointee Sought Political Influence Over Coverage

1:56pm September 02, 2020

by David Folkenflik

Michael Pack, who leads VOA's parent company, ordered a political appointee to formally review a story on Joe Biden. The move appears to violate bans on political meddling in coverage.

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