By Staff Reporter-US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to cut funding to the federally funded news organization Voice of America (VOA), accusing it of being “anti-Trump” and “radical.”
VOA operates Studio 7, the US-based Zimbabwean news service, which has been broadcasting from Washington, D.C., since 2003.
Studio 7 was established to provide independent and critical news coverage for Zimbabweans, countering the dominance of state-controlled media, which has long been used as a propaganda tool by the Zimbabwean government.
Since its inception, Studio 7 has filled a critical gap in Zimbabwe’s media landscape, offering alternative perspectives on political developments, governance, human rights, and socio-economic challenges.
In a country where press freedom has been severely restricted, Studio 7 has served as an essential platform for voices that are often suppressed in state media.
Over the years, the station has provided in-depth reporting on election rigging, human rights violations, corruption, and the deteriorating economic situation, giving Zimbabweans access to information that the government often censors.
At least 1 million Zimbabweans tune in to Studio 7’s daily bulletins, primarily broadcast through shortwave radio, a medium widely used due to its ability to reach remote areas beyond government-controlled frequencies.
Recognizing the changing media consumption habits, Studio 7 has also expanded its reach by packaging its news bulletins on WhatsApp, ensuring timely distribution to listener groups and diaspora communities seeking credible information about their home country.
A White House statement explained that the executive order aims to “ensure taxpayers are no longer footing the bill for radical propaganda.” It included quotes from politicians and right-wing media critics who have accused VOA of biased reporting.
VOA, originally established during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, has since grown into an influential global broadcaster, reaching hundreds of millions of people worldwide each week. However, Trump’s directive significantly weakens its operations.
Mike Abramowitz, VOA’s director, revealed that he and nearly all of the network’s 1,300 staff members have been placed on paid leave. He expressed concern that the order would severely impact VOA’s ability to fulfill its “vital mission,” particularly at a time when authoritarian regimes such as those in Iran, China, and Russia are investing heavily in state-sponsored disinformation campaigns.
The National Press Club, a leading representative group for US journalists, condemned the move, stating:
“If an entire newsroom can be sidelined overnight, what does that say about the state of press freedom? An entire institution is being dismantled piece by piece. This isn’t just a staffing decision – it’s a fundamental shift that endangers the future of independent journalism at VOA.”
The president’s order specifically targets VOA’s parent company, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also funds organizations such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia—services originally set up to counter communism. The directive instructs managers to “reduce performance to the minimum presence and function required by law.”
For Zimbabweans, the potential loss of Studio 7 means the erosion of a vital news source that has played an indispensable role in keeping citizens informed and holding the government accountable.
With state media continuing to serve the interests of the ruling elite, the closure of Studio 7 would leave a significant void in the fight for press freedom and democratic discourse in Zimbabwe.