Federal Judge Halts Shutdown of Voice of America

VOA employees secured a court order that prevents the Trump administration from shuttering the outlet for now.
Federal Judge Halts Shutdown of Voice of America
The Voice of America building in Washington on June 15, 2020. Andrew Harnik/AP Photo
Bill Pan
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A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America (VOA), the government-funded international news service whose 1,200 reporters and employees were placed on paid leave earlier this month.

The judge, J. Paul Oetken of the Southern District of New York, on March 28 issued a temporary restraining order in favor of VOA employees and their unions. The order prevents the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, from shutting down the broadcasting network and its associated radio programs.