On the Media – “A Good Sign For the VOA?” (March 11, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of On the Media (hosted by Michael Loewinger with guest historian Nicole Hemmer, Vanderbilt), explores the tumultuous political and historical landscape surrounding the Voice of America (VOA) following a federal court ruling that found Kari Lake’s recent actions as head of US Agency for Global Media to be unlawful. The discussion provides historical context on VOA’s founding, examines its complex role as a tool of American “soft power,” debates the tension between journalism and propaganda, and interrogates the impact of political interference—both past and present—on American-funded international media.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Kari Lake’s Tenure and Court Ruling

• Kari Lake, after losing two major political races in Arizona, was appointed to lead the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Free Asia.
• A ruling by Judge Roy C. Lamberth found Lake’s leadership unlawful, potentially nullifying all her decisions over the previous year. This included placing all VOA employees (and contractors) on leave, making VOA “effectively silent.”
• Lake declared to NPR that she intends to appeal. (00:52–01:52)

“Kari Lake, quote, satisfies the requirements of neither the statute nor the Constitution, potentially making all of her actions this past year null and void.” — Michael Loewinger [01:52]

2. VOA’s Founding Principles and Propaganda Debate

• Nicole Hemmer recounts that Robert E. Sherwood founded VOA as a counter to fascist propaganda witnessed in WWII Europe.
• Early broadcasts mixed straightforward news and American jazz—blending information with cultural influence.

“He came to this idea of Voice of America with that idea that there could be this alternative voice that was accurate, that was telling the truth, but that was also showing the war through American eyes.” — Nicole Hemmer [02:35]

• Broadcasting truth, even at the cost of acknowledging American military losses, built VOA’s credibility:

“General Stilwell, for example, said, the Japanese gave us a hell of a beating in Burma...that made them really believe the Voice of America.” — Alan Heil [05:04]

• After the Cold War, a regulatory “firewall” was established to protect VOA from political control, ensuring journalistic independence (05:38–06:04).

3. Soft Power, Mission Evolution, and Critiques

• VOA’s “soft power” is meant to subtly encourage positive views of the US and democracy—not through regime change but by modeling a free press.
• Hemmer notes ambiguity in measuring impact; its success is more about changing perceptions than concrete political outcomes.

“That’s the idea behind soft power...that is going to essentially make people think more warmly of the United States and its form of government.” — Nicole Hemmer [07:10]

• There are inherent tensions—between promoting free press and risking “cultural imperialism.” American media and culture can crowd out local cultures, sometimes breeding resentment.

“When American culture starts to push out national culture, that’s not ideal for the countries where VOA is broadcasting...a kind of cultural imperialism.” — Nicole Hemmer [07:50]

• The episode acknowledges the sizable VOA budget, raising questions about cost-effectiveness in a changed media landscape:

“Given how hard it is to measure its success...are there better, more efficient, more effective ways of promoting a free press?” — Nicole Hemmer [08:44]

4. Recent Political Controversies and Right-Wing Critiques

• Despite legal attempts to insulate VOA, the current White House released statements labeling it the “Voice of Radical America,” amplifying right-wing media claims (National Review, Breitbart, Fox News, Daily Caller).
• Example: Assertion that VOA staff is banned from calling Hamas “terrorists.” Hemmer clarifies it is a matter of journalistic protocol—not a ban—given the loaded, context-dependent use of the word “terrorist.” It’s about nuanced, responsible reporting, not censorship.

“There is no ban on the word terrorist. That’s part of a much more nuanced conversation that is just one of journalistic protocols.” — Nicole Hemmer [09:41]

• Accusations about staff expressing anti-Trump views on social media exist, but there’s no evidence these opinions affect reporting.

“That’s always the trick, right, that reporters might have opinions, but you have to show that it’s influencing the way that they cover the news. And that’s the missing piece in that particular accusation.” — Nicole Hemmer [10:42]

• Conservative commentator Glenn Beck celebrates Lake’s actions as a necessary correction to supposed VOA bias:

“Hey, there’s a problem with your doggies in the shed. Can you go fix Old Yeller? ... It’s the right thing to do.” — Glenn Beck [11:09]

• Hemmer argues this reflects a broader right-wing shift against US involvement abroad and skepticism toward institutions upholding democracy.

“VOA stood for a defense of democracy and free press across the world. And this is an administration that does not stand for those things...that’s, I think, particularly worrisome.” — Nicole Hemmer [11:30]

5. Media Environment and the Crisis of Truth

• Loewinger and Hemmer discuss whether VOA’s founding theory—that truthful propaganda is most effective—informs today’s media environment.
• Hemmer doubts it still holds: The public today responds more to narratives they want to believe than to facts, an effect amplified by social media’s erosion of trust signals.

“It’s why things like fact checking aren’t particularly effective pushback against propaganda, because people aren’t necessarily persuaded by facts...we’re an entirely different ballgame when it comes to how people come to understand the world around them.” — Nicole Hemmer [13:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Your worst fricking nightmare” — Kari Lake on herself, a soundbite referenced at [01:52]
• “The music of jazz parallels the freedom that we have in America, something that not every country has.” — Alan Heil [03:34]
• “You couldn’t straight up lie to people and expect them to trust you as a source of news, that you had to tell them what was really happening.” — Nicole Hemmer [05:38]

Important Timestamps

• 00:52–01:52 — Background on Kari Lake and court ruling.
• 02:35–03:41 — History and founding philosophy of the VOA (Nicole Hemmer).
• 05:04–05:38 — Value of truth-telling and establishing VOA’s journalistic “firewall.”
• 06:04–06:57 — Evolution of mission post-Cold War.
• 07:10–07:37 — Measuring “soft power” effectiveness.
• 07:50–08:44 — Debates about cultural imperialism and the VOA’s budget.
• 09:10–10:24 — White House accusations, “terrorist” terminology controversy.
• 11:09–11:30 — Glenn Beck’s endorsement of dismantling VOA.
• 12:40–13:45 — Discussion on the collapse of facts as persuasive tools.

Tone and Style

The discussion remains characteristically measured and analytical, with both Loewinger and Hemmer cautious to separate facts, historic parallels, and deeply-felt concerns about the future of journalism and international broadcasting. The tone is thoughtful, at times concerned, but always rooted in context and historical perspective.

Conclusion

This episode provides a deep dive into the intersection of media policy, propaganda, and democracy, using the current crisis at VOA as a lens to examine shifting American values and the perilous state of truth in public discourse. For listeners unfamiliar with the latest developments or with VOA’s storied past, the conversation offers a nuanced overview that balances history, skepticism, and hope for media’s role in an increasingly complex world.