President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to dismantle several U.S.-funded media outlets. Among those is Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and most prominently, Voice of America, an international broadcasting service, which provides content to more than 361 million people around the world.
VOA is an essential entity, not only for delivering accurate news to countries and regions plagued by censorship but also for representing the values of a free press and open society. For decades, it has been a lifeline for those living under oppressive systems.
It was created in 1942 during World War II “to combat Nazi propaganda with accurate and unbiased news and information.” Since then, it has evolved into one of the most important global outlets, providing news to regions where access to free press is restricted or nonexistent.
Especially in today’s political environment, this mission has never been more crucial, as the world faces an increasing amount of misinformation, disinformation and censorship. Yet Trump’s executive order directly contradicts the principles upon which VOA was founded: to deliver “a consistent message of truth, hope and inspiration.”
Trump’s decision to dismantle VOA as part of his larger plan to shrink the federal government is much more than simply a news service being shut down. He is cutting one of the few tools the U.S. has to counter global misinformation and provide reliable, fact-based reporting in places where people cannot easily access information.
It is also important to note aside from Trump, every U.S. president, regardless of his political party, has supported VOA since its creation in 1942.
Cutting VOA is, of course, a disservice to the millions who rely on it. Aside from that, however, it also opens the door for foreign governments to exploit the absence of independent American journalism. Without VOA’s presence, the space will be filled by outlets not committed to unbiased reporting, but rather to furthering their own agendas.
And without VOA’s watchful eye, those outlets will be free to promote whatever disinformation serves their own political interests.
The consequences will be far-reaching. In addition to depriving people of their right to information, the dismantling of VOA will also weaken the U.S.’ ability to influence international diplomacy.
VOA displays to the world the U.S.’s values of freedom of speech, democracy and civil rights. By cutting the service, Trump is demonstrating the U.S. does not, in fact, promote those democratic ideals. It is not only hypocritical but also an unspoken breach of leadership. If the U.S. steps back from advocating for human rights and free expression, it risks losing its influence and credibility on the global stage as well.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post's executive editors: Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Cruz, Managing Editor Madalyn Blair and Equity Director McKenna Christy. Post editorials are independent of the publication's news coverage. The Post can be reached via editor@thepostathens.com.
