American Society of Journalists and Authors Calls for Reinstatement of Voice of America
March 25, 2025
CONTACT: ASJA staff, asjaoffice@asja.org
New York, New York (March 25, 2025) – The American Society of Journalists and Authors officially denounces the federal government’s executive order dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the parent organization that oversees Voice of America, and calls for its immediate reinstatement.
Created in 1942, Voice of America is the country’s largest international broadcaster, publishing news articles, audio (radio), and videos in 48 languages. According to the VOA mission statement, the broadcaster is committed to truth-telling, standing for freedom and against global terrorism worldwide, and upholding principles of the free press.
USAGM is funded by the U.S. Congress. The executive order undermines Congressional actions, press freedom, and independent journalism, and threatens the role of U.S.-funded media in countering authoritarian propaganda globally. As a result of the order, radio broadcasts to regions including Asia and the Middle East have gone silent. Instead, some frequencies are airing music or content from state-controlled media from countries like Russia and China. The editor-in-chief of Russia’s state media declared the VOA shutdown as “awesome.”
“ASJA has been the nation’s premier organization for professional freelance nonfiction writers since 1948, championing the First Amendment,” said ASJA President Darcy Lewis. “The organization has a particular focus on issues of national importance, including censorship, copyright, and legal or industry changes that prevent independent writers from making a living. We call for the VOA to be reinstated.”
As of this writing, more than 1,300 VOA journalists, producers, and support staff have been placed on administrative leave, leading to a halt in broadcasts and content production.
Additionally, many VOA contractors received termination notices effective March 31, instructing them to cease all work and prohibiting access to agency buildings and systems. The shutdown also affects journalists working for VOA in the United States on J-1 visas; those journalists now face the possibility of being forced to return to their homelands, including some to countries with records of jailing critics.
“As an organization for independent journalists, ASJA understands the fundamental role of a free press, not only in the United States, but abroad,” Lewis said. “The action to dismantle VOA threatens U.S. interests and safety, as well as the interests of our international allies. Providing truthful and comprehensive coverage of the news is vital to a free world and an issue of national security.”
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About ASJA
The American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nation’s premier organization of professional freelance nonfiction writers. ASJA members write books, journalism and content marketing and have met ASJA’s objective standards of professional achievement by publishing with national magazines, publishers and clients. As First Amendment and right-to-freelance advocates, ASJA stands up for writers’ rights and offers extensive networking and educational opportunities that benefit members and the freelance writing profession as a whole. ASJA believes in diversity and inclusion and actively works to attract members from all backgrounds and experience levels while continuing to emphasize excellence in nonfiction writing.
For more information about the organization, contact ASJA staff, asjaoffice@asja.org.Learn more at www.asja.org.