Statement by plaintiffs in Widakuswara v. Lake

USAGM starts mass layoffs at VOA

By Patsy Widakuswara, Jessica Jerreat and Kate Neeper

June 20, 2025

USAGM has launched its mass layoff of VOA and USAGM staff, including some of our Persian colleagues they called back to work just last week to cover Israel’s war with Iran. Their last day on the payroll will be September 1, Labor Day.

This move follows USAGM’s firing of more than 500 contractors last month. It spells the death of 83 years of independent journalism that upholds U.S. ideals of democracy and freedom around the world.

As our legal team fights for our rights under the law, we call on Congress to continue its long tradition of bipartisan support for VOA. Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and extremist groups are flooding the global information space with anti-American propaganda. Do not cede this ground by silencing America’s voice.