US Justice Department Clears VOA to Resume Operations

The US Justice Department has informed Voice of America (VOA) that its staff can return to work next week, following a suspension ordered by President Donald Trump in March.

This update was confirmed on Saturday, May 3, 2025, by a press freedom NGO and a VOA employee.

The US government-run international news outlet has been off-air since Trump ordered the dismantling of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA and other broadcasters such as Radio Free Asia and manages federal funding for their operations.

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Steve Herman, VOA’s chief national correspondent, shared on X that the Justice Department had emailed the service’s lawyer, David Seide, stating that USAGM expects VOA staff to begin a “phased return” to work, with programming set to resume next week.

Two VOA employees confirmed that their work email accounts, previously frozen, had been restored, though they had not yet received any formal notice confirming their return to work.

US Justice Department Clears VOA to Resume Operations

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a non-profit press freedom organisation, stated that both its lawyers and those of VOA had received the same confirmation from the Justice Department, including details that 1,406 USAGM and VOA employees’ accounts had been reactivated.

The Justice Department email also stated that the “phased return” would be based on security, office space, and equipment availability, with programming set to resume next week.

The revival of VOA represents a significant setback for Trump, who had been critical of the broadcaster for not reflecting his administration’s viewpoints.

He had taken issue with the editorial independence of the service, which has a firewall ensuring its autonomy.

In an April letter, former VOA directors from various political backgrounds had called on Congress to intervene and restore the service after a court ruled that Trump’s shutdown violated the law.

The timing of this decision coincides with World Press Freedom Day on May 3, which underscores the importance of a free press and highlights the challenges faced by journalists around the world.

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