Journalists protest Trump's move to shut down US-funded international media outlets

WASHINGTON

Employees from several federally funded international media outlets on Tuesday protested the Trump administration's decision to shut down their organizations in front of the National Press Building in Washington, DC.

The demonstration included journalists from Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and Al Hurra, which operates under the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), all overseen by the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

Protesters voiced frustration about budget cuts and looming layoffs after the administration announced plans to reduce funding and staffing for the outlets.

US President Donald Trump ordered the reduction of the budget and personnel at government-funded media organizations, particularly targeting VOA and its sister networks.

VOA, funded by Congress since World War II, reaches 100+ countries in 63 languages. The broader USAGM network includes Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Open Technology Fund. Similar lawsuits were filed earlier this week.

The move is aimed at significantly limiting USAGM’s operations.

As part of the decision, many journalists working under the agency were placed on administrative leave, with additional staff reductions expected.

*Writing by Merve Aydogan