What’s Happening with Voice of America’s Massive Layoffs?

The Trump Administration has fired hundreds of journalists from the job of Voice of America (VOA), most of its employees have been trimmed and effectively eliminated the news outlets funded by the US. According to the reports, more than 85% of VOA's approximately 1,400 employees - 639 in the latest round has been removed from March 2025. The administration claims that the sorting targets such an agency that suffers from "disorder, bias and waste", but the critics of VOA's main national correspondent Steve Harman calls it "historical work of self-sabotage". To combat Nazi publicity, VOA has long been a lighthouse of independent journalism in areas with long-limited press freedom.

Voice of America gutted as Trump fires hundreds of journalists

Why Are These Firings Stirring Controversy

To lead VOA on Friday, June 20, 2025, the trimmed by Trump, is part of the extensive effort to reduce the mechanism called "uncontrolled federal bureaucracy" by the administration. Only 50 employees are left in VOA, Cuban Broadcasting's office and VOA's USA Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This step has spread over, especially in the Persian-language service journalists of VOA, who was suddenly removed from the job. Some people were fired out of their office after the cigarette break, which were unable to enter after the administrative holiday after the recent attack on Iran after coming back for some time.

How Are Journalists and Experts Reacting

VOA reporters, three of which have filed a lawsuit to eliminate the network, issued a statement that the dismissal marks "death of 83 years of independent journalism", which advocated the American ideals of democracy and freedom. The reporting of outlet has earned global appreciation for its work at places like China, Russia and North Korea, where the freedom of the press is rare. However, critics like former VOA correspondent Dan Robinson argue that the agency had turned into "Ego Operation" with "Left Bias", which was polarized and biased on the American media of Trump. The resonance of attacks is the resonance.

What’s the Bigger Picture Behind Trump’s Move

In March 2025, VOA and Usagm by Trump indicated this result by order to "finish" to "the maximum limit" to the maximum limit. Administration is in line with its efforts to deprive other public media such as National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The supporters see it as a rein to blossom bureaucracy, while the opponent considered it to attack independent journalism. This debate reflects the US polarized media scenario, in which studies show that the news consumers consider rapidly inspired by the ideology.

What’s Next for VOA and Global Journalism

Due to the decrease in the number of employees of VOA, its potential to give reliable reporting in authoritarian rule is in danger. The remaining skeleton employees are facing a difficult struggle to maintain the heritage of the outlet. Along with the dust, the questions about its role in promoting democracy in the future and abroad of journalism funded by the United States. Will VOA emerge again, or is it the end of an era? The answer depends on how the public and policy maker responds to this unprecedented change.