A federal judge ruled Saturday that the US agency that oversees public news media does not have the legal authority to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) radio.
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The effect of this decision on VOA’s business was not immediately clear.
Kari Lake, President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the US agency responsible for VOA, called the decision of Federal District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth “bogus” and said it would be appealed.
Voice of America has been broadcasting news around the world since its founding during World War II.
The network currently operates with a reduced staff and only broadcasts in a few languages, after Mme Lake terminated contracts and laid off most of its employees.
Mme Lake was chosen by Mr. Trump to effectively lead the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also oversees other services, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
However, she did not receive Senate confirmation for her position, which Judge Lamberth noted in his decision. According to him, she did not have the authority to act in this capacity because of laws that protect against unqualified government appointments.
“Only the appointment clause or the exclusive structure of the Vacancy Law can authorize the exercise of senior functions, and Mme Lake does not meet the requirements of the law or the Constitution,” Mr. Lamberth wrote.
The lawsuit was filed by Patsy Widakuswara, Voice of America’s White House bureau chief, and her colleagues Kate Neeper and Jessica Jerreat. They were among the employees fired by Mme Lake and challenged these measures.
“We feel vindicated and deeply grateful,” the journalists said in a statement. They stated that the decision against Mme Lake “was an important step toward repairing the damage she inflicted on this American institution that we love.” They added that they were still trying to determine what the decision actually meant for their colleagues whose careers were in limbo.
Supporters of Voice of America view the station as an example of the country’s “soft power,” providing unbiased media coverage in regions where governments control the flow of information. Mme Lake claimed that government-run media were useless and that their productions should promote the administration’s views.
Reporters Without Borders welcomed Mr. Lamberth’s decision, which confirms its opinion that the administration had acted illegally in dismantling VOA.
But much remains to be done before VOA journalists can return to their jobs, noted Clayton Weimers, executive director of the organization’s North American branch.
“This case proves that it is important to fight for press freedom,” he said.
In a statement published on X, Mme Lake said she strongly disagreed with the decision.
“The American people gave President Trump a mandate to cut bloated bureaucracy, eliminate waste, and restore accountability to government,” she wrote. An activist judge is trying to obstruct these efforts within USAGM. Judge Lamberth has a history of issuing activist decisions, and this case is no exception. »
