The Trump administration has terminated nearly 600 contractors at Voice of America (VOA), a renowned US-funded international news network recognized for its commitment to independent journalism in countries with limited press freedom. The abrupt firings, which were announced in defiance of a recent court order aimed at preserving VOA’s robust news operations, have sent shockwaves through the organization. President Trump’s criticism of the network for allegedly disseminating “radical” content has been a key factor in this decision.

The massive job cuts, affecting a significant portion of VOA’s workforce including journalists and administrative staff, have raised concerns, especially for journalists from authoritarian countries whose visas are tied to their employment at VOA. The administration justified the layoffs by citing “the government’s convenience,” leveraging the classification of the affected workers as contractors rather than full federal employees.

Michael Abramowitz, the director of VOA, expressed dismay over the layoffs, describing them as “inexplicable” and expressing his deep disappointment in an email to staff. He has taken legal action to challenge the administration’s move to shutter VOA. Meanwhile, Kari Lake, a Trump ally and senior adviser at the US Agency for Global Media overseeing VOA, defended the decision as legally sound, despite criticisms of the agency’s integrity without substantiating claims of corruption.

The ripple effect of these firings is part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration’s targeting of independent news organizations, with recent actions taken against NPR, PBS, 60 Minutes, CBS, and the Associated Press. These developments underscore the ongoing challenges facing press freedom and independent journalism under the current administration.