The closure of the Voice of America by President Trump has been praised by leaders in China and Cambodia, who view it as a victory against fake news. Trump’s executive order aims to streamline federal agencies, impacting the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Reactions include subdued responses from Russia and concerns from Czech officials about maintaining international broadcast operations.

The closure of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia by U.S. President Donald Trump has garnered approval from leaders in China and Cambodia, who have consistently criticized U.S. media. Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen commended the move as a significant step towards fighting fake news, while China’s state-run Global Times praised the closure, labeling VOA a ‘lie factory’ for generating societal discord.

Trump’s executive order aims to reduce the scale of various federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA, Radio Free Asia, and others. This initiative forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to streamline federal operations, which includes potential mass layoffs and the abolishment of other government bodies.

As a result of the closures, Michael Abramowitz, director of VOA, announced that the majority of the agency’s staff of over 1,300 personnel had been placed on administrative leave. Notably, the broadcaster, established in 1942 and available in nearly 50 languages, has been demonized by Chinese media for its coverage of critical issues such as labor practices in Xinjiang and the Hong Kong protests.

The reaction from Russia has been relatively subdued; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that U.S. media outlets have little influence in Russia, indicating that the closures would not significantly affect them. Conversely, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavsky emphasized the importance of maintaining operations for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in discussions with European Union counterparts.

CEO Stephen Capus of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty warned that ceasing funding for these broadcasters would significantly benefit America’s adversaries, including leaders from China, Russia, and Iran, asserting that this would weaken the United States while inadvertently empowering its adversaries.

In summary, the closure of VOA and Radio Free Asia by the Trump administration has drawn praise primarily from Chinese and Cambodian officials, reflecting longstanding criticisms of U.S. media. The move is framed as part of a broader agenda to combat misinformation but raises concerns about the implications for international broadcasting and press freedom. While reactions vary globally, the overarching narrative suggests a strategic shift in U.S. media operations that could affect diplomatic relationships and free discourse.

Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com

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