A federal judge has intervened to block the shutdown of Voice of America, a move that was ordered by the Trump administration through an executive order earlier this month. The decision, made in response to a lawsuit filed by government employees, journalists, unions, and nonprofits advocating for independent journalism, marks a significant victory for press freedom and the First Amendment.
The plaintiffs, who include current and former employees of Voice of America, as well as several journalism organizations, argued that the shutdown would cause irreparable harm to employees, contractors, and grantees. They claimed that the actions of Kari Lake, Senior Advisor to the Acting CEO of the US Agency for Global Media, were “arbitrary and capricious” and that the dismantling of the agency would clearly cause harm.
The judge agreed, stating that the plaintiffs had offered sufficient evidence to support their claims. The decision is a major setback for the Trump administration, which had sought to overhaul the leadership and direction of Voice of America.
This ruling is the second court victory for the embattled agency in as many days. On Thursday, the Trump administration restored funding to Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, and the Open Technology Fund, which are also overseen by the US Agency for Global Media.
The shutdown of Voice of America had sparked widespread concern among journalists, lawmakers, and advocacy groups, who argued that it would undermine the agency’s mission to provide independent and unbiased news to global audiences.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, sought to block the shutdown and restore funding to the agency. The plaintiffs argued that the shutdown would not only harm employees but also undermine the agency’s ability to provide critical news and information to audiences around the world.
The judge’s decision is a significant victory for press freedom and the First Amendment, and ensures that Voice of America can continue to operate independently and provide unbiased news to global audiences.
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