Federal Judge Orders Restoration of Voice of America Following Administration's Dismantling
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration must restore Voice of America, citing violations of federal law and the need for independent journalism.
Overview
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the Trump administration to restore operations of the Voice of America (VOA) and other federally-funded broadcasters. The judge ruled that the administration's decision to cut funding and place 1,300 employees on administrative leave was illegal, citing arbitrary actions without proper analysis. The ruling, a response to a lawsuit from VOA staff, highlights the important role of independent journalism and reinstates funding for VOA, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, while excluding Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The White House previously accused VOA of promoting a 'leftist bias'.
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Associated Press·2M·FAQ
The Trump administration made cuts after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at making sweeping cuts. Kari Lake, the acting CEO, claimed to have discovered 'waste, fraud, and abuse' within the agency.
Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration's cuts were unconstitutional, emphasizing that the actions were swift and severe without adequate consideration for the legally mandated functions or the impact on employees and global media consumers.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was not included because it filed a separate lawsuit.
The ruling highlights the importance of independent journalism by restoring funding to VOA and other broadcasters, ensuring they can provide
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