Trump decree puts VOA staff on forced leave

KABUL (Pajhwok): Full-time workers of the Voice of America (VOA) and some other US government-funded media outlets have been put on leave following a decree signed by President Donald Trump, reports said on Saturday.

According to Reuters, Trump issued an executive order that put the country’s state-run media, including more than 1,300 employees of the Voice of America, on leave until further notice.

VOA Director Michael Abramovic said: “I am deeply saddened for the first time in 83 years the VOA is silenced.”

The report added the Trump administration had also cut Radio Liberty’s funding.

President Trump and his allies had accused the VOA of bias against conservatives.

Meanwhile, the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned Trump’s action.

Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), had earlier called for the closure of Radio Liberty and VOA.

Founded in 1942, VOA is a major international media organisation, broadcasting in more than 45 languages. It is funded entirely with American taxpayers’ money and through the American International Media Foundation.

Radio Liberty (Radio Free Europe) started its pilot broadcasts for Afghanistan both in Pashto and Dari languages in 2002.

aw/mud