USA: Thousands of journalists at risk of unemployment as USAGM faces Trump’s dismantling
IFJ (20.03.2025) – On 14 March, the Trump administration issued an executive order dismantling the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the federal agency overseeing US-funded international media. Thousands of journalists’ jobs are threatened by this decision. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates in the US, the National Writers Union (NWU), the NewsGuild-CWA and the Authors Guild, strongly condemn this decision which threatens journalists’ livelihoods, job security, the public’s right to know and media pluralism.
On 14 March, President Trump issued an executive order calling for a major reduction of USAGM, stating that the agency should be dismantled to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law. The order was part of a broader push to shorten the federal government by cutting agencies that were considered unnecessary. USAGM is a US federal agency overseeing US-funded international media including Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe (RFE), Radio Free Asia (RFA), Office of Cuba Broadcasting and Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
While VOA journalists currently remain employed with pay and benefits, severe funding cuts have significantly reduced their operational capacity, creating uncertainty about future employment. Freelance workers and international contractors have already lost their positions, as funding was abruptly terminated. Unlike VOA, both RFE and RFA have had their federal grants fully revoked. In response, RFE has filed a lawsuit against USAGM, arguing that terminating its funding violates US federal law and congressional authority over spending.
Meanwhile, RFA has warned that it may be forced to shut down entirely due to the loss of federal support. A letter from USAGM senior adviser Kari Lake instructed RFA to return any unspent funds and noted that the organisation has 30 days to appeal the decision.
The Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which runs Radio and TV Martí, went off air on 17 March after losing its funding. Two days before, employees had to return their ID badges, press passes, and government-issued equipment. For now, the future of this network remains uncertain.
The Middle East Broadcasting Network continues to operate globally, but its leadership is assessing the impact of funding cuts and unsure about what comes next.
The president of the NewsGuild-CWA, Jon Schleuss said: “The Guild stands with the thousands of journalists and hundreds of millions of people around the globe impacted by this order and we’ll do whatever it takes to fight for our members. Journalists shine a light on corruption and provide life-saving news without fear or favor—a mission everyone should support.”
“The Trump administration has made no secret of its aim to attack the free press and media workers,” said NWU President Larry Goldbetter. “Our members are among the many that have been impacted by these attacks, which are aimed mainly not at journalists themselves, but at the public’s right to know.”
“The loss of Voice of America, RFE/RL, and RFA will devastate original investigative reporting and eliminate vital analysis of political and military developments in regions where independent media is most urgently needed […],” said Mary Rasenberger, CEO of the Authors Guild, the oldest and largest organisation for writers in America.
The IFJ is urging immediate action to secure the employment rights of affected journalists. “The dismantling of USAGM directly threatens thousands of journalists with unemployment and also undermines the public’s right to know” said IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger. “We call on the US president to reverse his decision, stand for media pluralism and protect all workers employed by the USAGM.