US President Donald Trump has signed an order to cut funding for Voice of America (VOA), calling it “anti-Trump” and “radical.” A White House statement said the move would “ensure taxpayers are no longer on the hook for radical propaganda.” The order also includes comments from politicians and right-wing media criticizing VOA.

Mike Abramowitz, VOA’s director, said he and nearly all 1,300 staff members were placed on paid leave. He warned that the order left VOA unable to carry out its “vital mission… especially critical today, when America’s adversaries, like Iran, China and Russia, are sinking billions of dollars into creating false narratives to discredit the United States.

Read More: Meta Reveals Simplest Way to Earn Money from Facebook

The National Press Club condemned the decision, saying it “undermines America’s long-standing commitment to a free and independent press.” It added, “If an entire newsroom can be sidelined overnight, what does that say about the state of press freedom? An entire institution is being dismantled piece by piece. This isn’t just a staffing decision – it’s a fundamental shift that endangers the future of independent journalism at VOA.”

The order also affects the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which funds organizations like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia. CBS reported that all freelance and international contractors were told there was no money to pay them. The Czech Republic’s Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavský, said he would ask European foreign ministers to find ways to keep Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty running. Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk has supported the cuts, using his social media platform X to call for VOA’s shutdown.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for latest news and updates