TL/DR –
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Kari Lake, an Arizona politician and journalist, to head the government-funded international news broadcaster Voice of America (VOA). Lake, a prominent Trump supporter who has displayed hostility toward the media, will serve under the next U.S. Head for Global Media, who Trump has yet to announce. VOA is the largest United States international broadcaster, providing news in 50 languages to more than 354 million people; it is a part of the United States Agency for Global Media, a government agency that oversees all non-military, international broadcasting, and is funded by Congress.
Trump Appoints Kari Lake as Head of Voice of America
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Arizona-based politician and journalist Kari Lake to head Voice of America, the government-funded international news broadcaster. The appointment was shared on Truth Social, where Trump declared that Lake’s role would be to broadcast American values around the world “FAIRLY and ACCURATELY”.
After unsuccessful runs for Arizona governor and U.S. Senate, Lake, a prominent Trump supporter, has displayed consistent hostility towards media, often referring to them as “monsters” and decrying “fake news”.
What is Voice of America?
Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, delivering news in 50 languages to more than 354 million people worldwide. It forms part of the United States Agency for Global Media, a government agency that oversees all non-military international broadcasting.
Origin of Voice of America
VOA was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941, initially as the United States Foreign Information Service. The first broadcast was made to Europe via BBC transmitters in 1942.
VOA’s “Firewall”
Despite being government-maintained, a “firewall” established in the 1994 U.S. International Broadcasting Act prohibits government interference with VOA’s independent reporting.
Current Director of Voice of America
The current director of VOA is Michael Abramowitz, who has been in the position since June. Prior to his appointment, Abramowitz was president of Freedom House, a political advocacy nonprofit in Washington, D.C.
Contributing: Ronald J. Hansen, USA TODAY Network
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