US Agency for Global Media

The US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is the independent federal agency responsible for overseeing all U.S. government-supported international broadcasting. This includes the Voice of America (VOA), which was established during World War II to counter propaganda. USAGM's mission is to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. The agency is currently newsworthy due to recent legal challenges to actions taken during the Trump administration. A federal judge has ruled that the actions of acting CEO Kari Lake, including mass layoffs at VOA, were illegal and violated federal law. The judge ordered the reinstatement of journalists and the reopening of VOA. Additionally, USAGM is involved in efforts to provide Iranians with access to uncensored internet through VPN funding, reflecting its ongoing role in promoting information access in countries with restrictive governments.