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The journalist Liam Scott announced that he has been dismissed from Voice of America (VOA), a media outlet funded by the United States government, effective March 31.
Through a post on his X account (formerly Twitter), Scott expressed his sadness, anger, and disappointment regarding the decision, assuring that the coverage of press freedom is being dismantled.
“I am very proud of the work I did at VOA. This was my first full-time job as a reporter after college, and I was able to tell stories that I would never have been able to report in another medium,” he began saying in his post.
"I stayed because I wanted to fight to protect the editorial independence of VOA and document the unprecedented threats facing press freedom in the United States under the Trump administration. But in the end, it became almost impossible for me to cover issues of press freedom in the U.S." he continued.
Scott, who worked as a reporter specializing in press freedom coverage, detailed that during his time at VOA he covered cases of repression against journalists, imprisonments of communicators such as Alsu Kurmasheva and Evan Gershkovich, Chinese disinformation, the crisis of local media in the U.S., and Donald Trump's lawsuits against the press.
In his testimony, the journalist emphasized that VOA was the only media outlet in the world with a dedicated team to report on press freedom, and lamented what he considers its gradual dismantling, along with other platforms under the U.S. Agency for Global Media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Scott described this process as part of a broader attack on press freedom. "I have never seen anything like what has happened in the U.S. in the past few months,” he warned.
Despite his dismissal, the journalist stated that he will continue reporting on the situation of the media and democracy, considering it to be "the most important story in the media in the United States—perhaps in the whole world."
WHO IS LIAM SCOTT?
Liam Scott is an award-winning reporter specializing in coverage of press freedom and misinformation. During his time at Voice of America, he received the 2024 Arthur E. Rowse Award from the National Press Club for his reporting on the police raid at the Marion County Record newspaper in Kansas.
In addition to his work at VOA, Scott has published reports in media outlets such as Foreign Policy, Coda Story, the magazine New Lines, and DCist. Before venturing into journalism, he worked at the Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect.
Scott is a graduate of Georgetown University, where he studied international politics and studies on mass atrocities. During his university years, he was the executive editor of the student newspaper The Hoya.
A BROADER CONTEXT
The dismissal of Liam Scott occurs in a context of mass layoffs at Voice of America (VOA) and other media organizations funded by the U.S. government.
Last Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that significantly reduces the operations of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the entity that oversees VOA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Martí, among others.
This measure has resulted in over 1,300 VOA employees being placed on paid administrative leave, effectively silencing the 83-year-old institution known for promoting freedom and democracy worldwide.
The Trump administration justifies the measure as an effort to reduce the size of the federal government and criticizes the recent editorial decisions of the VOA, accusing it of leftist bias.
Critics, including Reporters Without Borders and leaders of these networks, condemn the measure, viewing it as a deviation from the role of the United States as a defender of free information.
Furthermore, VOA employees, such as Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb, expressed concern about being silenced during this indefinite leave, highlighting that this action could be celebrated by authoritarian regimes that VOA has challenged with its independent journalism.
Frequently Asked Questions about Liam Scott's Dismissal and the Situation at Voice of America
Why was Liam Scott fired from Voice of America?
Liam Scott was fired from Voice of America (VOA) amid a broad wave of mass layoffs driven by the Trump administration, which seeks to reduce the operations of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Scott's dismissal is part of an effort to downsize the federal government, according to official statements.
What are the reasons behind the mass layoffs at Voice of America?
The Trump administration justified the staff reduction at Voice of America (VOA) and other entities under USAGM as an effort to reduce the size of the federal government. VOA is accused of leftist bias and there is a push to eliminate non-essential functions to comply with the new government austerity policy.
How does the closure of Voice of America affect press freedom?
The partial shutdown of Voice of America (VOA) and other entities overseen by USAGM is criticized by advocates for press freedom, who argue that this measure undermines the ability of the United States to promote democracy and provide objective information worldwide. The action is seen as a setback in the defense of free information.
What role did Liam Scott play in Voice of America?
Liam Scott was a reporter specializing in press freedom coverage at Voice of America. During his time at VOA, he covered cases of repression against journalists and misinformation, among other topics. Additionally, Scott has been recognized for his work, receiving the Arthur E. Rowse Award from the National Press Club in 2024 for his outstanding reporting.
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