Trump begins mass layoffs at VOA, other media

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President Donald Trump has initiated mass layoffs at Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-funded media outlets.

This follows a decision to place all employees on leave just 24 hours earlier. Staff working under contract received an email informing them that their contracts would be terminated at the end of March.

“You must cease all work immediately and are not permitted to access any agency buildings or systems,” the email confirmed to AFP, several employees told contract workers.

Contract workers, who make up a significant portion of VOA’s workforce, particularly in non-English language services, are particularly affected. Many of these contractors are not U.S. citizens, and they likely rely on their VOA jobs to maintain visas that allow them to stay in the U.S.

Full-time VOA employees, who have more legal protections, were not immediately laid off but have been placed on administrative leave and instructed not to work.

Voice of America, established during World War II, broadcasts worldwide in 49 languages with the aim of reaching audiences in countries where media freedom is restricted.

Liam Scott, a VOA reporter who covers press freedom and disinformation, confirmed that he too is being let go on March 31, 2025. He criticized the Trump administration for dismantling VOA and other similar outlets, viewing it as part of a broader effort to weaken the government and restrict press freedom.

Scott shared his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I’ve covered press freedom for a long time, and I’ve never seen anything like what’s happening in the U.S. over the past couple of months.”

As a result of the layoffs, some VOA services have resorted to playing music due to the lack of new programming.

This latest controversy follows previous legal challenges faced by the Trump administration after dismissing probationary workers across several federal agencies, including those in Defense, Agriculture, Energy, Interior, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs.

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