A federal judge has issued a temporary order stopping the Trump administration from shutting down the Voice of America (VOA), a government-funded news service. This action follows a lawsuit filed by VOA employees against the U. S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
• Judge J. Paul Oetken of the Southern District of New York ruled in favor of VOA employees, preventing USAGM from closing the network and its radio programs.
• Employees had been placed on paid leave as part of a shutdown process. The lawsuit claimed USAGM violated press freedom and the separation of powers by halting VOA’s operations.
• The judge noted that USAGM's actions seemed unconstitutional and that the acting Director lacked authority to cut funding or terminate staff.
• The shutdown was controversial, with critics including President Donald Trump, who accused VOA of bias and stated it misuses taxpayer money.
• In earlier conflicts, the government criticized VOA for allegedly promoting foreign propaganda.
• Since the lawsuit, the Trump administration has resumed funding for VOA and similar networks.
The judge's decision provides a temporary reprieve for VOA employees while the court reviews the legality of the shutdown. The ongoing debate over the agency's role continues amid critiques from political figures.
No comments:
Post a Comment