On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at curtailing the functions of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This decision significantly impacts Radio and Television Martí as well as Voice of America (VOA), both falling under USAGM's oversight.
The executive order mandates that the USAGM, along with other related entities, "scale back non-essential functions and personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law." The directive states, "Non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities will be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities will reduce the performance of their statutory functions and personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law."
The order requires the agency's head to submit a report within a week, detailing which components or functions are statutorily required and to what extent.
Saturday morning, affected employees, including those from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, received an email notifying them of their administrative leave with pay. However, they must remain on standby for work if called upon. Kari Lake, appointed by Trump to lead VOA (pending approval by the International Broadcasting Advisory Board), had warned on X: "If you are an agency employee, please check your email immediately for further details."
The email, sent by USAGM, indicates that during the administrative leave, employees are barred from accessing any agency systems and must return their ID and any access codes. BBC journalist Chris Greenway described it on X as "an unprecedented move in the history of international broadcasting. Not only Voice of America but also Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Radio/TV Martí are either shutting down entirely or ceasing in their current forms. And apparently, with immediate effect."
Journalist Roberto Céspedes, who has worked with USAGM, confirmed that employees of Radio and TV Martí, part of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which also oversees Martí Noticias, received the administrative leave notification.
The notice also prohibits them from entering agency facilities, as ordered by Donald Trump. "The measure, which also affects other federal entities, anticipates a significant reduction or transformation of their functions," Céspedes clarified.
A New York Times reporter, citing two VOA workers, reported that all full-time employees were left jobless due to the executive order. "Journalists at Voice of America have just been informed they've been placed on administrative leave. Two people there told me this affects all full-time employees. ‘As far as we can tell, VOA is effectively closed from this moment,’" the report stated.
Impact of Trump's Executive Order on USAGM Entities
What entities are affected by Trump's executive order on USAGM?
The executive order impacts Radio and Television Martí, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and other entities under the USAGM.
What does the order mean for USAGM employees?
USAGM employees have been placed on administrative leave with pay, but are required to remain available for work if needed. They are also restricted from accessing agency systems and must return their IDs and access codes.
What are the potential consequences of this executive order?
The order could lead to a significant reduction or transformation of the functions of the affected entities, potentially resulting in their shutdown or a change in their current operations.