The Struggle for Editorial Independence at Voice of America
Amidst allegations of political interference, a group of veteran journalists from Voice of America are taking legal action against Kari Lake, a Trump administration official. The lawsuit claims that Lake has violated federal law by promoting pro-Trump propaganda and undermining the network’s editorial independence.
Norm Eisen, one of the lead attorneys representing the journalists, stated, “The Voice of America has been breaching the Constitutional and statutory rules that require that outlet not to push propaganda or censorship.” This situation arises during a critical period with ongoing conflicts, such as the one in Iran, where audiences rely on Voice of America for truthful reporting.
Kari Lake, along with the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America, has faced criticism for her actions. President Trump previously labeled the network’s coverage as “anti-American propaganda,” leading to a reduction in its operations. The latest lawsuit also includes Michael Rigas, the newly appointed acting CEO for the agency.
Voice of America has a long history, originating during World War II to provide factual accounts of the war to Nazi-occupied territories. Over the years, it has served as a tool of soft power, delivering unbiased news to regions lacking a free press and showcasing a pluralistic society to audiences under oppressive regimes.
Before the recent changes, Voice of America reached over 360 million people worldwide each week. However, following Trump’s executive order in March 2025, Lake significantly reduced the network’s operations, cutting its language services from 49 to six and placing over 1,000 employees on leave.
Despite legal challenges, Lake is accused of attempting to inject a pro-Trump narrative into the network’s remaining broadcasts. Contracts with established news agencies, such as the Associated Press and Reuters, were canceled, and there were efforts to incorporate content from right-wing media outlets like One American News Network.
Concerns have been raised by some Voice of America journalists about the network’s Persian broadcasts, which reportedly favored President Trump and the U.S. government’s stance on the Iran conflict. An hour-long segment celebrating Trump’s first year back in office exemplified this perceived bias, with Lake herself appearing in a segment to praise the president.
The lawsuit also highlights instances where Voice of America journalists were allegedly prevented from covering anti-regime protests in Iran, particularly those supporting the son of the late Shah. Ali Javanmardi, an executive at the U.S. Agency for Global Media overseeing the Persian service, was accused of aligning the network’s agenda with Trump’s policies and encouraging protests in Iran.
These actions have drawn criticism for potentially violating the “firewall” protections intended to safeguard Voice of America’s editorial independence from political interference. A federal judge recently ruled that Lake’s actions in the past year were unlawful, ordering the reinstatement of full-time employees and criticizing the agency for withholding funds allocated by Congress.
The lawsuit filed against Lake includes former acting director of Voice of America’s central news division, Barry Newhouse, among others. PEN America and Reporters Without Borders have joined the lawsuit in support of press freedom.
In a joint statement, the plaintiffs emphasized the importance of maintaining Voice of America’s integrity, stating, “For decades, VOA has represented America’s commitment to freedom of the press to audiences who are denied this right in their own countries. Allowing that legacy to be compromised from within serves no one — least of all the United States.”
