Statement by plaintiffs in Newhouse v. Rigas

VOA journalists file new lawsuit to protect agency’s journalism

By Barry Newhouse, Ayesha Tanzeem, Dong Hyuk Lee and Ksenia Turkova.

March 23, 2026

Today, we filed a new complaint against USAGM to protect the integrity of VOA programming and fight the government’s unlawful interference in our news reporting.

The integrity of VOA’s content is not just a legal requirement — it is in the national interest. For decades, VOA has represented America’s commitment to freedom of the press to audiences who are denied this right in their own countries. Allowing that legacy to be compromised from within serves no one — least of all the United States.

Through VOA’s journalism, those living in authoritarian societies get a taste of democracy. Without editorial integrity, VOA will be no different than government mouthpieces our audiences already hear in their own countries.

Our complaint, Newhouse v. Rigas, strengthens ongoing cases against USAGM, including Widakuswara v. Lake and Abramowitz v. Lake. We bring this action because we believe it is our duty — and our legal obligation — to defend VOA’s editorial independence and restore its credibility.