A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore jobs and funding for Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-funded news outlets, after a March 14 executive order abruptly shut them down, put over 1,300 employees on leave, and terminated contracts essential to keeping the agency running.
Judge Royce Lamberth ruled Tuesday that the shutdown likely violated the law and Constitution, noting that for the first time in its 80-year history, VOA was not reporting the news. He ordered the government to reinstate all affected employees and contractors at VOA, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and found the administration likely violated the International Broadcasting Act and Congress’ power to appropriate funding.
Despite the ruling, VOA employees have not yet been called back and the websites remain inactive. The exception was some Radio Martí and Martí Noticias staff in Miami, who resumed work on March 27 after backlash in the Cuban community.
The government today notified VOA attorneys its intention to appeal the ruling. VOA White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, a lead plaintiff in one of the lawsuits against the administration’s shutdown, called the ruling a step forward, but said the fight continues until VOA can fully return to its mandate.
Full disclosure: I am among the contributing contractors of VOA’s Latin America division affected by the shutdown.
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