US Agency for Global Media

The US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is the federal agency responsible for overseeing all U.S. government-supported international broadcasting. This includes 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 actions taken by acting CEO Kari Lake, including mass layoffs and operational changes 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, highlighting its role in circumventing government censorship and promoting information access in restrictive environments. These events underscore USAGM's ongoing significance in international communication and its role in promoting U.S. foreign policy objectives.