A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore all jobs and funding for the Voice of America and other US-backed news outlets.
The ruling stated that the administration's efforts to dismantle VOA violated the law and Constitution.
Over 1,300 VOA employees, including about 1,000 journalists, had been placed on leave following President Trump's order.
The White House had accused VOA of being "anti-Trump" and "radical."
Judge Royce Lamberth criticized the administration for acting "without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world."
The administration was ordered to restore employees and contractors to their previous positions at VOA, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
Why this matters: The ruling protects the independence of VOA and other US-backed news outlets, ensuring they can continue to provide unbiased news and information to audiences worldwide. It also underscores the importance of safeguarding journalistic freedom from political interference.
The Voice of America (VOA) was established during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda and has since become a major global media broadcaster. The Trump administration's attempt to defund and dismantle VOA was met with legal challenges, resulting in a federal judge's ruling against the administration.
Judge Lamberth found that the administration likely violated the International Broadcasting Act and Congress's power to appropriate funding. He stated that the administration's actions were an arbitrary and capricious display.
The ruling requires the administration to restore employees and contractors to their previous positions. Patsy Widakuswara, the VOA White House bureau chief, acknowledged the ruling as a small step forward, anticipating a likely appeal from the government.
Trump had long criticized VOA, accusing mainstream outlets of bias. In March, he ordered the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, to be "eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law."
A separate judge in New York had temporarily blocked the executive order after journalists, advocacy groups, and unions sued, arguing the move was unlawful.
Q: Why did the Trump administration try to shut down Voice of America?
The White House accused VOA of being "anti-Trump" and "radical," as part of a broader pattern of criticizing mainstream media outlets.
Q: What was the basis of the judge's ruling against the administration?
Judge Lamberth found that the administration likely violated the International Broadcasting Act and Congress's power to appropriate funding. He also criticized the administration for acting without regard to the harm inflicted on employees and media consumers.
The independence of Voice of America has been protected by a federal court ruling.
The court found that the Trump administration's actions to dismantle VOA were unlawful and unconstitutional.
VOA will continue to operate and provide news globally, free from political interference.
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