NEW YORK (Reuters) – The One America News Network, known for its far-right views and consistent support of President Donald Trump, will be providing “newsfeed services” to Voice of America and other U.S. government-funded media outlets, announced Kari Lake, senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the parent company of VOA.
In a statement on Tuesday, Lake mentioned that OAN would be offering its news and video services free of charge. However, this move has stirred controversy among VOA journalists, many of whom were let go following Trump’s second term inauguration in January, as part of the administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce and quell dissenting voices.
Patsy Widakuswara, the Voice of America White House bureau chief currently on indefinite leave, expressed disappointment at the decision, stating that it essentially replaces the organization’s long-standing reputation for producing reliable news with a partisan source. OAN, owned by Herring Networks, has faced legal challenges for spreading misinformation about the 2020 presidential election and continues to promote false claims even after Trump’s 2024 election win.
Representatives for USAGM and OAN have not commented on the partnership. In a controversial move back in March, Lake, a former TV news anchor and Republican politician, placed most VOA employees on leave, citing the agency’s alleged bias against Trump and its reliance on external news sources like Reuters, the Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse.
Despite facing legal action from VOA employees over First Amendment rights violations, a federal appeals court recently upheld a ruling that prevented more than 1,000 VOA staff from returning to work, following Trump’s efforts to restructure the USAGM.
