The government agency overseeing the Voice of America has decided to end contracts with major wire services The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse. Journalists at VOA were instructed to cease using material from these wire services. Kari Lake, the former broadcaster now leading VOA under President Donald Trump’s administration, expects this move to save $53 million. Lake, who was initially appointed as a special adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media before officially taking over VOA, stated via social media that the contracts with the wire services were deemed costly and unnecessary. She emphasized the importance of VOA producing its own news content with its substantial budget, questioning the need to rely on external sources.
Following Lake’s directive, VOA staff were informed to discontinue incorporating wire service materials into their reporting. While wire services are commonly used to supplement news coverage in various organizations, the AP, Reuters, and AFP declined to comment on this decision. The move by VOA reflects the new administration’s efforts to assert control over the organization, which is known for providing news from an American perspective globally.
This decision comes amidst strained relationships between the media and the White House, with instances of press restrictions and legal actions against news organizations. Lake expressed her commitment to investigating and eliminating unnecessary expenses that burden American taxpayers through VOA’s operations.
