President Donald Trump has initiated a significant shift in the government-funded media landscape as he takes aim at Voice of America's operations.

According to Fox News, Trump signed an executive order on Friday commanding the dismantling of seven government offices, including the United States Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The executive order demands these governmental entities be "eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law" while reducing their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum required by law.

Kari Lake, Trump's December appointee as VOA's next chief, currently serves as a senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media and has instructed employees to monitor their emails regarding their employment status.

Voice of America's controversial coverage sparks debate

A senior White House official emphasized VOA's departure from its intended purpose, characterizing the outlet as promoting divisive content.

The official's statement highlighted growing concerns about the agency's editorial direction and its impact on American taxpayers. Recent criticisms have focused on VOA's coverage of various sensitive topics, including its reporting on Hamas and the October 7 attack on Israel.

VOA faced particular scrutiny in January when it allegedly "sanitized" its coverage of Hamas by omitting details about Gaza residents cheering as the terrorist group displayed coffins containing Israeli hostages' remains.

This editorial decision drew sharp criticism from House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and other government officials.

The news agency's guidance to staff following the Hamas attack also raised eyebrows when it instructed employees to avoid using the term "terrorists" except in quotes when referring to Hamas members. This editorial policy decision added to mounting concerns about the organization's journalistic standards and perceived bias.

Structural changes and employee impact

The executive order affects multiple government agencies beyond VOA, targeting seven entities in total. These include the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the Minority Business Development Agency, among others.

Employees received termination notices via email on Saturday, though the exact number of affected staff remains unclear. The scope of the dismantling operation suggests significant personnel changes across multiple departments and agencies.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media's press release on Saturday delivered a stark assessment of the situation, describing the agency as "not salvageable" and highlighting systematic issues within the organization.

Past controversies and editorial decisions

VOA's history of controversial coverage extends beyond recent events. In 2020, the outlet published articles examining concepts like "white privilege" and faced criticism for its coverage of the Hunter Biden laptop controversy during the presidential campaign.

The organization's editorial decisions have repeatedly drawn criticism from various quarters, including former employees. Critics argue that the outlet has strayed from its original mission and developed what they describe as a leftist bias aligned with partisan national media.

These controversies have led to increased scrutiny of VOA's role as a government-funded news organization and its ability to maintain journalistic objectivity while serving American interests abroad.

Final outcome and next steps

Trump's executive order marks a decisive moment in VOA's history, with potential long-term implications for government-funded media operations. The administration's move reflects broader concerns about the role and effectiveness of state-funded media outlets in representing American interests globally.

The dismantling process involves multiple government agencies and will likely unfold over time as the administration works to implement the executive order while adhering to legal requirements and existing statutory obligations.

The future of VOA's employees and ongoing operations remains uncertain as the organization faces its most significant restructuring since its inception.