The presidential advisor Kari Lake announced that Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Martí will begin incorporating content from One America News Network (OAN), a channel that is ultraconservative and openly pro-Trump, as part of a new strategy by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to supply its international broadcasters, including the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.
The announcement, made through posts on X networks, states that the service will be free for the U.S. government, a detail that Lake celebrated as a “huge benefit for taxpayers,” considering that these platforms are funded solely with public money.
“Every day I look for ways to save money for taxpayers. Including OAN as a source of video and news achieves both goals,” wrote Lake.
OAN: from ultra-conservative media to official provider
OAN, a hardline pro-Trump channel, is known for promoting conspiracy theories and falsehoods about the 2020 elections, and has been accused of acting more like a propaganda machine than a professional journalistic outlet, according to CNN.
Despite this, Lake described it as a "reliable and credible" source, and emphasized that it is "one of the few family-owned chains left in the United States."
According to Lake himself, the idea to turn to OAN as a content provider originated at the suggestion of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), which was seeking new news sources for its broadcasts from Miami to the island.
VOA, a shadow of what it once was
Currently, Voice of America is off the air, having been nearly dismantled by the Trump administration. However, according to reports from CNN, some employees were called back to work this week, while a possible revival of the outlet is being evaluated.
Several VOA journalists have reported that Lake is looking to reshape the network as an ideological shell of Trumpism, just maintaining enough to navigate federal litigation over dismissals, but without any intention of restoring its independent journalistic role. Lake herself admitted that she lacks editorial control over VOA's content, yet her structural influence is already causing fear among the remaining employees.
Meanwhile, after several days without access to the facilities, employees of Martí Noticias returned to their positions in the past month of March.
That occurred after the layoffs at Radio and TV Martí due to a massive budget cut ordered by Trump, which affected the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). At that time, the arguments were that the agency was wasting resources and facing security issues.
From the Voice of America... to the Voice of Trump?
Kari Lake's movement represents a radical shift in the nature and historical mission of the VOA, which since World War II has served as a diplomatic arm of reliable information from the U.S. government to international audiences. Integrating OAN as a content provider consolidates a strategy of ideological appropriation of the state’s information apparatus.
While Radio Martí and OCB may be the first to absorb this content, the precedent being set is clear: Voice of America could gradually become the international voice of Trumpism, moving away from its foundational mission of providing impartial, verifiable, and professional news.
Frequently asked questions about the collaboration of Radio Martí, VOA, and OAN
What does the collaboration between Radio Martí, VOA, and OAN imply?
The collaboration involves Radio Martí and Voice of America (VOA) incorporating content from One America News Network (OAN), a channel known for its ultra-conservative stance and support for Trump. This decision is part of a strategy by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to supply its international broadcasters, including the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.
Why is the incorporation of OAN content into Radio Martí and VOA controversial?
The controversy arises because OAN is known for promoting conspiracy theories and falsehoods, especially regarding the 2020 elections in the U.S. Furthermore, critics argue that this measure could turn VOA into a pro-Trump propaganda channel, straying from its mission to provide impartial and verifiable news.
What have been the reactions to the closure and subsequent reopening of Radio Martí?
The closure of Radio Martí, ordered by the Trump administration as part of a massive cut at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, was met with criticism from politicians and organizations that defend its role in the dissemination of free information in Cuba. The subsequent reopening was celebrated as a victory for press freedom, highlighting its importance in the fight against censorship by the Cuban regime.
What impact does the restructuring of USAGM have on the mission of Radio Martí?
The restructuring of the USAGM under the Trump administration has severely impacted Radio Martí, limiting its operations and resources. Although there have been efforts to restore its functions, the situation remains uncertain and depends on future government decisions for its continuity and effectiveness in conveying information to Cuba.
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