In recent developments, Voice of America (VOA) has found itself suspended from broadcasting under the administration of former President Donald Trump. The state of the internationally funded broadcaster has raised concerns about its future direction, particularly with the announcement that One America News (OAN), a far-right television network known for its promotion of conspiracy theories and misinformation, would be providing newsfeed services to VOA. Kari Lake, a prominent supporter of Trump appointed to oversee the now-stripped-down entity, revealed this arrangement in a late-night social media post.
According to Lake, the collaboration with OAN is an initiative stemming from the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which is responsible for sending broadcasts like Radio Martí into Cuba. She enthusiastically announced that OAN would supply its newsfeeds and video services to VOA at no cost, framing this development as a fiscal win for taxpayers. However, Lake’s claims of taxpayer advantage are cast against the backdrop of longstanding appropriations for VOA’s operations, suggesting a troubling pivot to a source already notorious for its questionable journalistic integrity.
Amidst these changing tides, Lake acknowledged that she presently does not possess editorial control over VOA, indicating that immediate alterations to established programming may be limited. This caveat, however, does little to alleviate apprehension among former VOA employees, who speculate that access to OAN’s content represents a significant step toward transforming VOA into a mouthpiece for Trump. Such a transformation raises alarms for journalists at the broadcaster who have long feared their commitment to objective reporting may be compromised.
At this juncture, VOA’s networks and websites are reportedly offline. Despite this, a select group of employees received calls to report back to work, leading to speculation about a proposed reconfiguration of the network. Employees have expressed concerns that Lake envisions a dismantled version of VOA, one which retains enough semblance to conform to the expectations of federal judges who are scrutinizing the current situation. The adoption of OAN content would seem to align with this strategy, potentially undermining the organization’s credibility and mandate to deliver impartial news.
Legal actions are currently underway following Trump’s alterations to VOA’s operations. Journalists Patsy Widakuswara and Jessica Jerreat have publicly voiced their grievances over the president’s interference, emphasizing that Congress established VOA to provide reliable news, not to outsource its content to networks aligned with a specific political agenda. They asserted that despite a wealth of capable journalists within the organization, they are currently barred from utilizing their skills to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in the VOA charter.
One America News, which was established in 2013, has transformed into a platform amplifying conspiracy theories, particularly during Trump’s presidency. Compared to right-leaning networks like Newsmax and Fox News, it occupies a more extreme stance. The network has been at the forefront of pushing the false narrative surrounding the 2020 presidential election results and has faced multiple defamation lawsuits as a consequence of its broadcasting. In one significant case, OAN settled with the voting technology firm Smartmatic after being accused of spreading misinformation for profit. Additionally, it has encountered ongoing legal issues with Dominion Voting Systems, which recently revealed coordinated efforts among OAN, the Trump campaign, and attorney Sidney Powell to disseminate these baseless election claims.
The decision to incorporate OAN’s content into VOA’s repertoire appears to be indicative of a broader ideological shift that has significant implications for the future of the network. As it stands, OAN’s viewership and revenue have suffered since the network was dropped by DirecTV in 2022. By adopting content from such a controversial outlet, VOA risks tarnishing its reputation as an authoritative source of news, potentially alienating its audience who expect reliable and credible journalism. As ongoing legal proceedings unfold and organizational changes take shape, the quest for transparency and integrity at VOA is more critical than ever.