Ankara: Journalists with Voice of America (VOA) have initiated legal action against the Trump administration and senior adviser Kari Lake, arguing that the sudden termination of the US-funded network infringes upon the First Amendment and congressional authority.
According to Anadolu Agency, the lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, aims to reinstate over 900 full-time employees and 550 contractors who have been placed on indefinite leave. The plaintiffs in the case include former VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara and Press Freedom Editor Jessica Jerreat. Kathryn Neeper, a senior official at the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), is also among those suing.
Kari Lake, appointed by Donald Trump to oversee USAGM, justified the network's shutdown by citing rampant waste, fraud, and abuse within the agency, further asserting that American taxpayers should not be burdened with funding it. The closure of VOA has rendered its homepage and streaming services inactive for more than a week.
David Seide, the lead attorney representing the plaintiffs, criticized the decision, stating, "Tragically, Kari Lake lives in the MAGA fantasy world, but she makes decisions that have real-world consequences for hundreds of journalists." The lawsuit has garnered support from press advocacy groups and unions.
VOA, which has been funded by Congress since World War II, broadcasts in more than 100 countries across 63 languages. The broader network under USAGM includes Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Open Technology Fund. This lawsuit is among several filed this week in response to the network's closure.
For some of the plaintiffs, the shutdown presents severe repercussions. Two foreign national VOA journalists are facing visa expirations on March 31. One of them, identified as John Doe 3, risks imprisonment in a country that has labeled VOA a 'subversive organization.' Another, John Doe 4, faces potential persecution due to their LGBTQ status.
Neither USAGM nor acting chief Victor Morales has issued a response to the allegations.