Kari Lake, involved in dismantling Voice of America, announced the termination of over 500 employees at the broadcaster and its parent agency as part of a federal reduction in force aimed at reducing bureaucracy and saving money.
The Trump administration has announced mass layoffs at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, significantly impacting Voice of America and related networks, raising concerns about press freedom and the safety of foreign journalists working for U.S.-funded outlets amid political retribution fears and the imprisonment of journalists in various countries.
Kari Lake, a senior adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, has implemented an 85% reduction in workforce, affecting the Voice of America and other networks, citing efforts to dismantle what she describes as a bloated bureaucracy, amidst controversy and legal challenges.
President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to appoint Kari Lake, a staunch ally and 2020 election denier, to lead Voice of America (VOA), a major US international broadcasting service. Lake, a former news anchor and failed political candidate, has been a vocal critic of the media. Her appointment raises concerns about media independence, given her past controversial remarks and Trump's previous criticisms of VOA. The move is part of a series of appointments by Trump, who plans to announce the head of the US Agency for Global Media soon.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Kari Lake, a former news anchor and Trump ally, to lead Voice of America, a move that aligns with his previous criticisms of the media. Lake's appointment will be made by the head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, whom Trump plans to announce soon. This decision reflects Trump's ongoing strategy to place loyalists in key positions, as Lake has been a vocal supporter of his policies and campaigns.