Voice of America Cuts Contracts With AP, Reuters, and AFP

The Epoch Times Header

Voice of America under the leadership of Kari Lake ends deals with major wire services, a move she says will save taxpayers $53 million.

Voice of America (VOA), under new leadership appointed by President Donald Trump, is terminating contracts with The Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Kari Lake, a Republican politician and former news anchor herself, announced the decision on social media Thursday, calling the contracts “expensive and unnecessary.” Lake is the Trump administration’s senior adviser for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA.

Lake estimates the move will save about $53 million. She said that VOA should produce its own news coverage rather than relying on external news providers.

“We should not be paying outside news organizations to tell us what the news is,” Lake said. “With a nearly billion-dollar budget, we should be producing news ourselves. And if that’s not possible, the American taxpayer should demand to know why.”

Typically, news outlets use wire services to supplement coverage, especially in areas without their own reporters.

In an additional post online, Lake said she is currently examining agency spending closely, stating she has discovered “a lot of nonsense that the American taxpayer should not be paying for.”

The move marks one of Lake’s first major actions since her appointment to USAGM, which also supervises other broadcasters such as Radio Free Europe. Her appointment signals a shift in how VOA operates, emphasizing internal content production and cost-cutting measures.

Lake’s selection by Trump has drawn attention due to her outspoken criticism of legacy media. On her X profile, she describes herself as “A Nightmare for the Fake News.” Prior to this appointment, Lake unsuccessfully sought political office—U.S. Senate in 2024 and governor in 2022—in Arizona.

USAGM’s website describes the agency as “a networked global media agency.”

“The six entities that comprise the USAGM complement and reinforce one another in a shared mission vital to U.S. national interests: to inform, engage and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy,” the agency biography stated. “Together, USAGM entities communicate each week with 427 million people across the globe.”

By Chase Smith

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Biden’s Autopen Was A Mighty Big Sword

The autopen was used to sign Biden's name on pardons and EO, even when he was out of the country. Did he know what was signed? Did he authorize the signatures?

I Refuse To Be A Serf

“How are people not furious about property taxes?” President Trump...

Putting it to rest

As the nation hits its taxation stride on its way to April 15th and DOGE continues to reveal waste and fraud, a review of the nation’s finances is overdue.

Lefty Activist Judges are Obstructing Trump’s Presidency

Activist judge’s ruling to block President Donald Trump from being able to execute his Constitutional Article 2 Powers pose a real “Constitutional crisis”.

France’s Next Quarterly Nuclear Drills Might Become Prestige-Building Exercises With Poland

Europe wonders what form Macron’s plans to extend his nuclear umbrella over the continent could take, considering risks entailed after Moscow’s negative reaction.

News

Pentagon Taps 2 Firms That Partner With Ukraine to Make Drone Prototypes

Two Ukrainian companies will help manufacture prototype drones for the Pentagon, as the United States seeks to rapidly scale its unmanned capabilities.

Dismantling of Education Department Is Underway, Drawing Legal Challenges

Trump has yet to issue an EO to eliminate the Dept of Education or work with Congress to do it, but the process of dismantling it is well underway.

NASA’s Starliner Astronauts Welcome New Crew to Space Station

One day after blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the SpaceX Crew-10 capsule arrived at the International Space Station on March 16.

Sen. Lankford Sees New ‘Wild Card’ Role as Chance to Speed Up Senate

Sen. James Lankford is guiding colleagues as vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference informing media and the public about efforts of party’s senators.

Massive Storm Leaves at Least 33 Dead as US Hit by Tornadoes, Wildfires, Blinding Dust

Violent weather broke out across the central and southern US, sending tornadoes and high winds with storm killing at least 33 people as of March 16.

Judge Blocks Trump’s Efforts to Deport Gang Members Under 1798 Alien Enemies Act

Federal judge blocked Trump’s efforts to rapidly deport members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua through use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

US to Pay El Salvador $6 Million to Imprison 300 Illegal Immigrant Gang Members for a Year

Trump admin is set to pay El Salvador $6 million to hold 300 members of Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang and 2 alleged members of MS-13 in prison for a year.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central