RSF and VOA coalition secure first court victory against Trump administration
REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is encouraged by a media court victory against the , Trump administration and stands ready to proceed with a case on its merits and calls on the US government to immediately unfreeze funding for Voice of America (VOA) and to reinstate its employees.
On March 28, District Judge J. Paul Oetken granted the motion for a temporary restraining order in a case brought by RSF together with a coalition of VOA employees and their unions to stop the Trump administration from dismantling the public service broadcaster.
RSF and the coalition of co-plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on March 23 to oppose the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle VOA.
President Trump ordered the termination of federal grants for USAGM (US Agency for Global Media) on March 14, effectively gutting the federal agency that distributes Congressionally-appropriated funding to VOA and other vital public media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA).
The next day, all Voice of America (VOA) personnel were abruptly placed on administrative leave.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is encouraged by a media court victory against the , Trump administration and stands ready to proceed with a case on its merits and calls on the US government to immediately unfreeze funding for Voice of America (VOA) and to reinstate its employees.
On March 28, District Judge J. Paul Oetken granted the motion for a temporary restraining order in a case brought by RSF together with a coalition of VOA employees and their unions to stop the Trump administration from dismantling the public service broadcaster.
RSF and the coalition of co-plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on March 23 to oppose the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle VOA.
President Trump ordered the termination of federal grants for USAGM (US Agency for Global Media) on March 14, effectively gutting the federal agency that distributes Congressionally-appropriated funding to VOA and other vital public media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA).
The next day, all Voice of America (VOA) personnel were abruptly placed on administrative leave.
RSF’s work to defend journalists and the public’s right to reliable information has been gravely impaired by the elimination of VOA as it is among the most reliable — if not the only — source of independent information in many parts of the world where RSF and its correspondents operate.
Clayton Weimers, executive director, RSF USA, said:
“We’re very pleased that the judge agreed to freeze any further action by the government to dismantle Voice of America. The fight to save VOA — and, indeed, the free press — continues as the Trump administration works to deprive the world of a reliable source of information.
"We urge the Trump administration to unfreeze funding for VOA immediately and reinstate its employees without further delay.”
Thibaut Bruttin, RSF's director-general, said:
"This is an important victory in the fight for press freedom but the war waged by the Trump administration will lead to new battles. RSF will be there every step of the way.
"We extend our deepest thoughts to the employees of Voice of America — especially those in danger of losing their lives or their freedom — and to the millions who rely on VOA’s reporting. Finally, we offer our heartfelt thanks to the legal teams and are immensely grateful for the courageous VOA employees who chose to stand as co-plaintiffs alongside RSF and their unions."
Asia Pacific Media Network and its Pacific Media Watch project collaborate with RSF in its media freedom mahi in the Pacific region.
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