**US Judge Orders Trump Administration to Restore Voice of America**
A US federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must restore all employees and contractors at Voice of America (VoA), a government-funded media outlet. The decision comes after the administration was accused of dismantling VoA as part of its efforts to cut funding for the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
According to the ruling, made by US District Judge Royce Lamberth on April 22, the Trump administration’s actions were “arbitrary and capricious” and likely violated US law. The judge ordered the reinstatement of all employees and the restoration of VoA programming so that it can continue to serve as a reliable source of news.
VoA is a government-funded media outlet founded in 1942, broadcasting in almost 50 languages around the world. However, under the Trump administration’s efforts to cut funding for USAGM, VoA has faced significant challenges. In March, a court issued a restraining order to prevent the mass firing of over 1,300 VoA employees.
The Trump administration has been critical of VoA, with President Donald Trump denouncing it as “radical propaganda”. The administration also slashed funding for USAGM and carried out an inspection of VoA that resulted in the dismissal of Ukrainian journalist Ostap Yarysh.
**Background: Trump’s Efforts to Gut US Agency for Global Media**
The Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle USAGM, which oversees VoA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia, have been met with significant opposition. The administration has faced ongoing legal challenges in US courts.
In February, billionaire CEO Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), called for public media to be “shut down”. Musk claimed that public media was a waste of taxpayer money, saying “it’s just radical left crazy people talking to themselves while torching $1B/year of US taxpayer money”.
**What This Means**
The ruling by Judge Lamberth is a significant victory for VoA and its employees. It ensures that the outlet can continue to operate as a reliable source of news, serving millions of people around the world.
However, the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle public media remain ongoing. The decision highlights the need for continued scrutiny and oversight of government actions, particularly when it comes to funding and operations of government-funded outlets like VoA.
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