In a development that has alarmed media freedom advocates and human rights organisations, allies of former President Donald Trump are making a concerted effort to regain control over Voice of America (VOA), the US government's international broadcasting service.
Trump Loyalists Return to Key Positions
Robert Law, who previously served as Trump's chief of personnel at the Office of Personnel Management, has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of the VOA parent organisation. This move signals a potential return to the contentious relationship between Trump administration figures and the broadcaster.
The situation bears striking resemblance to the 2020 controversy when Trump-appointed CEO Michael Pack attempted to exert political influence over VOA's editorial content, prompting widespread condemnation from journalists and First Amendment advocates.
Uyghur Coverage at Risk
Of particular concern to observers is how this leadership change might affect coverage of China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. During previous Trump administration influence, reporting on this sensitive topic faced significant pressure and potential censorship.
"We're seeing worrying signs that the editorial independence of Voice of America could be compromised once again," said a veteran journalist familiar with the organisation who requested anonymity. "The coverage of human rights issues, particularly regarding China, has always been a flashpoint."
Broader Implications for US International Broadcasting
The developments at VOA raise broader questions about the future direction of US international media outreach and its commitment to objective journalism. The organisation has traditionally served as an important counterweight to state-controlled media in authoritarian countries.
Media watchdogs are closely monitoring whether the new leadership will respect the firewall between political interests and journalistic integrity that has long been central to VOA's mission and credibility.
As one former VOA correspondent noted, "When America's voice to the world becomes politicised, it undermines our most fundamental values and weakens our position on the global stage."
