voice of america

Politics & Government

Trump Administration Forced Foreign Journalists Out Of VOA To Score Political Points

12:07pm February 13, 2021

by David Folkenflik

NPR has obtained emails and memos showing Voice of America denied visas to journalist due to "America First" rhetoric protecting jobs for Americans — a tall order when broadcasting in 47 languages.

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Journalist Nabila Ganinda worked for Voice of America's Indonesian-language service for two years before the Trump administration rejected her visa extension. She is now back in Indonesia.

Politics & Government

Trump Official Cited Security To Kill Visas For VOA Staffers. Emails Say Otherwise

8:18pm February 11, 2021

by David Folkenflik

Under Trump, the agency over the Voice of America stopped granting requests for visa extensions for foreign journalists to reserve jobs for Americans. The agency had cited security concerns.

Former CEO of U.S. Agency for Global Media Michael Pack was appointed by President Trump. During his time with the agency, Pack waged ideological warfare on his own agency, targeting his executives and staffers with investigations.

Politics & Government

Trumpism At Voice Of America: Firings, Foosball And A Conspiracy Theory

3:48pm January 27, 2021

by David Folkenflik

Michael Pack's scandal-tarred tenure over Voice of America and its parent agency obscures the human toll of the ideological war he waged: executives fired, staff investigated, reputations shattered.

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this week in Washington, D.C.

Politics & Government

New Chief's Ties Shock Radio Free Asia, While Pompeo Visit to VOA Stirs Outcry

6:45pm January 15, 2021

by David Folkenflik

The demotion of a Voice of America White House reporter led to an outcry. And the new head of sister network Radio Free Asia had registered as a lobbyist for Taiwan just days before taking over.

During Mike Pompeo's visit to VOA, journalist Patsy Widakuswara tried to ask him whether he regretted saying there would be a second Trump administration after Joe Biden's victory in November.

Politics & Government

Voice of America White House Reporter Reassigned After Questioning Pompeo

11:43am January 12, 2021

by David Folkenflik

During Pompeo's visit to VOA, journalist Patsy Widakuswara tried to ask him whether he regretted saying there would be a second Trump administration after Joe Biden's victory in November.

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.

Robert R. Reilly led Voice of America briefly under President George W. Bush. Here they're shown at a VOA anniversary celebration in February 2002.

Politics & Government

New VOA Director Arrives With Baggage: Anti-Islamic and Homophobic Writings

10:42pm December 11, 2020

by David Folkenflik

The appointment of the newly named director of the Voice of America, Robert R. Reilly, has sparked criticism over his public writings on Islam and gay rights.

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."

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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.