RSF condemns mass VOA layoffs, warns journalists could face deportation

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the mass termination of over 500 employees and contractors at Voice of America including those in its Persian service, calling the move a threat to the safety of journalists who may now face deportation.

The Paris-based organization warned that some VOA staffers, particularly those on US work visas, could be forced to return to authoritarian countries where they risk arrest or worse due to their journalism.

The wave of terminations follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on March 14 dismantling the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA.

Since April 8, the order has led to sweeping layoffs and programming cuts across USAGM-funded media outlets, causing severe disruptions in news coverage—particularly in regions where VOA is one of the few reliable sources of independent reporting.

“While VOA employees await the decision of the en banc review in the appeals court, Donald Trump and Kari Lake have taken advantage of the slow pace of the proceedings to force through a mass termination, causing irreparable damage before the full appeals panel has had a chance to weigh in,” said Clayton Weimers, RSF’s North America executive director.

“We are deeply concerned that a number of these journalists could be forced to return to authoritarian countries where they would face arrest or worse. We cannot allow that to happen.”

According to RSF, termination notices were issued on May 15, with contracts set to end on either May 23 or May 30. Once their employment ends, it said, affected journalists on visas will have only 30 days to either leave the country or seek alternative options such as asylum or new sponsorship.

RSF and a coalition of VOA staff and unions filed an emergency motion on March 21, arguing the move violated the First Amendment.

A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction on April 22, briefly allowing journalists to resume work. However, on May 3, a court of appeals blocked the return of VOA teams. RSF says it will appeal that decision.