Trump Orders Dismantling of Voice of America, Citing Bias

Trump Orders Dismantling of Voice of America, Citing Bias

In a move that has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle, President Donald Trump has ordered the dismantling of the government-funded news agency Voice of America (VOA). The President accused VOA of promoting biased media reports and serving as a "Voice for Radical America."

The decision was announced in an executive order signed by Trump on Friday. The order also targets several other government agencies, including the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and the Minority Business Development Agency.

The executive order states that the non-statutory components and functions of these agencies shall be eliminated to the maximum extent possible. The agencies are also required to reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media, the parent company of VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, issued a statement saying that the agency is "not salvageable." The statement went on to say that the agency is a "giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer" and a "national security risk."

The decision to dismantle VOA has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised the move, arguing that VOA has become a mouthpiece for liberal propaganda. Others have criticized the decision, arguing that it is an attack on freedom of the press and will damage America's reputation abroad.

It remains to be seen what the long-term impact of this decision will be. However, it is clear that the dismantling of VOA is a significant development that will have a major impact on the media landscape.