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A federal judge in Washington D.C. temporarily suspended the mass layoffs at Voice of America (VOA) and other agencies under the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which were scheduled by President Donald Trump's administration for this Tuesday, reported the AP agency.
The judge Royce Lamberth ordered the preservation of the statu quo while a motion filed by employees seeking to block the elimination of 532 jobs, which represent the majority of the remaining staff at USAGM, is resolved. The decision prevents the agency from implementing the immediate layoff plan announced in August by Kari Lake, the current interim director of the organization.
Lamberth had already ruled in April in favor of restoring VOA's operations, describing the government's actions as "arbitrary and capricious." In his new ruling, the judge criticized what he considered a "concerning lack of respect" from the administration towards the court, for initiating the layoff process shortly after stating in court that it was merely a possibility.
The complaining employees argued that the cuts would make it difficult to comply with a prior court order requiring the restoration of VOA's programming levels according to its legal mandate. Meanwhile, government attorneys accused the plaintiffs of wanting to operationally control the agency and described the injunction as "excessive."
In March, Trump signed an executive order to reduce the functions of USAGM to their legal minimum, which led to the suspension of Voice of America's operations for the first time in its 83-year history. More than 1,300 employees were placed on paid administrative leave.
The measure also affected other networks such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and Radio/TV Martí, whose employees were also removed from their positions after receiving internal notifications.
Amid this process, Kari Lake was appointed to lead the USAGM and defended the restructuring as a means to improve institutional efficiency. In May, she announced that VOA and Radio Martí would begin incorporating content from the One America News Network (OAN), a decision that drew criticism from journalists and organizations advocating for press freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Suspension of Layoffs at Voice of America and the Restructuring of USAGM
Why did a judge block the mass layoffs at Voice of America?
Judge Royce Lamberth temporarily suspended the layoffs because he deemed the government's actions to be “arbitrary and capricious.” This decision was made to maintain the status quo while a motion filed by employees seeking to prevent the elimination of 532 jobs at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is addressed.
What is the impact of the court decision on Voice of America and other agencies?
The court ruling prevents the immediate implementation of the budget cuts plan announced by the Trump administration, allowing the operations of Voice of America and other agencies to continue while the litigation is resolved. This is significant as previously, operations such as those of Radio Martí and other networks had been severely impacted.
How does the incorporation of content from One America News Network affect Voice of America?
The inclusion of content from One America News Network (OAN) into the Voice of America and Radio Martí is part of a strategy to supply their international broadcasting. This decision has drawn criticism as OAN is regarded as an ultraconservative, pro-Trump channel, which could undermine the historical mission of the VOA to provide unbiased and professional news.
What other networks have been affected by the cuts at USAGM?
In addition to Voice of America, other networks such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and Radio/TV Martí have been affected by layoffs and restructuring driven by the Trump administration. These measures have complicated their ability to fulfill legal mandates and produce regular content.
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