Over 500 VOA and Affiliate Staff to be Fired

DID Press: U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) announced that it will lay off more than 500 employees.

The decision, reported by The Guardian, comes just one day after a federal judge blocked the dismissal of the Voice of America’s director.

U.S. media outlets said the move may further escalate months-long legal tensions over the management of U.S. government-funded media outlets.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Royce Lambert ruled that the removal of Michael Abramowitz from his position as Voice of America director could not proceed without the approval of the majority of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board. Lambert called the dismissal “clearly unlawful.”

Appointed during President Ronald Reagan’s administration, Lambert also criticized the Republican-led government for failing to demonstrate compliance with the court’s orders.

Meanwhile, USAGM head Kari Lake said in a social media post that the agency had initiated a Reduction in Force (RIF), eliminating 532 government employee positions.

“Following this reduction, the agency will continue its statutory mission and may even improve its operational effectiveness,” Lake added.

Voice of America was previously shuttered during the Trump administration, highlighting the ongoing political and legal controversies surrounding the management of U.S. government-funded media.