On the Media: "Voice of America Goes Quiet. And, Apocalypse Now?" – March 21, 2025

In this compelling episode of the Peabody Award-winning podcast On the Media, hosts Brooke Gladstone and Michael Ohinger delve into significant developments affecting U.S. government-funded international broadcasters and explore contemporary feelings of imminent societal collapse. The episode intertwines discussions on media funding cuts with an exploration of apocalyptic themes in modern culture, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of both media integrity and societal anxieties.

1. Funding Cuts to U.S. Government-Backed Media Organizations

The episode opens with a critical look at a recent executive order that slashes funding for several state media organizations, notably Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Michael Ohinger announces, “[00:00] A recent executive order cut funds for state media organizations, including Voice of America,” setting the stage for an in-depth analysis of the implications.

Jodi Ginsburg, Chief Executive Officer of the Committee to Protect Journalists, underscores the severity of the situation: “[03:47] It's a risk to the US national security because it creates an environment in which mis and disinformation, lies and propaganda from autocrats around the world can flourish.” This perspective highlights the strategic importance of these broadcasters in combating global misinformation.

Nicole Hemmer, a historian at Vanderbilt University, provides historical context by tracing VOA's origins and its role during World War II and the Cold War. She explains, “[05:49] He had seen the rise of fascism... and so 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...” Hemmer elaborates on VOA's mission to promote American soft power through truthful broadcasting, distinguishing it from outright propaganda by emphasizing accuracy and open reporting.

However, the Trump administration has taken a different stance. President Trump, during a press conference, mocked VOA and Radio Free Europe, questioning their effectiveness and labeling their content as “radical propaganda.” Carrie Lake, a MAGA loyalist tasked with running VOA, echoed this sentiment: “[04:34] Carrie Lake... hasn't been officially appointed... she's resorted to trashing its work here on Steve Bannon's War Room podcast.”

The administration's actions have elicited strong reactions from right-wing media figures. Glenn Beck celebrated the cuts, viewing them as a step towards dismantling what he perceives as unnecessary U.S. intervention in global media: “[14:44] Glenn Beck... there's this larger set of goals that the dismantling of VOA plays into that makes right wing audiences so happy.”

Jodi Ginsburg criticizes this viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of VOA and similar organizations in maintaining a free press globally: “[14:44] ...the present administration does not stand for those things. This is an administration that doesn't believe in the liberal world order that's based on a set of rules, that's based on human rights...”

2. Human Stories: The Impact on Journalists and Their Families

The episode takes a poignant turn as it introduces Alsu Kurmasheva, a dedicated reporter for RFE/RL's Tatar Bashkir Service, who shares her harrowing personal experiences. Kurmasheva recounts her nine-month imprisonment in Russia for her journalistic work: “[25:16] ...later, the recent development... I was put in prison...”

Kurmasheva details the oppressive conditions she endured and the emotional toll of her incarceration. Her narrative includes the courage to continue reporting despite severe risks, emphasizing the critical role of independent journalism in authoritarian regimes. “[24:16] Alsu Kurmasheva: ...our service shuts down. So there were beautiful times 20 plus years ago. This is how it started.”

Her release, orchestrated through intense diplomatic negotiations, is celebrated by international communities advocating for press freedom: “[31:09] ...they landed in Maryland late last night...”

Kurmasheva reflects on the funding cuts' broader implications, lamenting the silence it will bring to millions who rely on RFE/RL for unbiased news: “[32:17] ...millions of people will stop reading and watching our reporting...”

She poignantly states, “[33:34] ...journalism, open, objective journalism doesn't exist in, in certain countries with autocracies,” underscoring the vital necessity of these media organizations in promoting informed decision-making among oppressed populations.

3. Exploring Apocalyptic Sentiments in Modern Culture

Transitioning from media struggles, the episode explores prevalent apocalyptic themes permeating today's societal consciousness. Dorian Lynskey, cultural journalist and author of Everything Must Go, discusses the historical evolution of apocalypse narratives and their relevance in contemporary times.

Lynskey traces apocalyptic ideas from ancient religions to modern literature, highlighting how events like natural disasters and human-induced crises shape our end-of-world scenarios. “[38:08] Dorian Lynskey: ...they were traveling around Europe, fascinated by the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum...”

He examines how major historical events, such as the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815, influenced literary giants like Mary Shelley and Lord Byron, leading to seminal works like Frankenstein that encapsulate humanity's fear of inevitable destruction: “[40:42] Dorian Lynskey: ...Byron never finishes his story, but what he does do is write this poem, darkness.”

Lynskey further analyzes modern apocalyptic fears, including climate change and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the shift from viewing disasters as external forces to recognizing human accountability. “[50:37] Dorian Lynskey: ...in his novels, things are bad, but they're not the end. He has great faith in sensible people of goodwill...”

He contrasts optimistic portrayals in literature, such as Kim Stanley Robinson's climate-focused science fiction, with more fatalistic narratives, advocating for a balanced perspective that appreciates life's value while addressing ongoing challenges: “[53:32] Dorian Lynskey: ...the biggest thing is to have some sense of what to appreciate and what to salvage.”

4. Intersecting Themes: Media Integrity Amidst Societal Unrest

Throughout the episode, the themes of media integrity and societal anxieties intertwine, suggesting that threats to free press are both a symptom and a catalyst of broader societal fears. The suppression of VOAs and similar organizations is portrayed not only as a direct attack on journalistic freedom but also as a reflection of escalating distrust and destabilization within global and domestic contexts.

The narrative suggests that just as apocalyptic literature captures humanity's fears and hopes, the current climate surrounding media institutions mirrors these literary themes—highlighting the fragility of truth and the resilience required to maintain it in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

On the Media masterfully interweaves the pressing issue of funding cuts to essential U.S. media organizations with a broader cultural examination of apocalyptic narratives. By featuring firsthand accounts from journalists like Alsu Kurmasheva and insights from experts like Nicole Hemmer and Dorian Lynskey, the episode underscores the critical role of a free press in safeguarding truth and democracy. Simultaneously, it reflects on how prevailing societal fears are both shaped by and reflected in our cultural expressions of apocalypse, urging listeners to appreciate the enduring value of truth and resilience in uncertain times.

Notable Quotes:

• Jodi Ginsburg ([03:47]): “It's a risk to the US national security because it creates an environment in which mis and disinformation, lies and propaganda from autocrats around the world can flourish.”

• Alsu Kurmasheva ([32:17]): “What am I gonna tell them? That their loved ones are imprisoned for nothing?”

• Nicole Hemmer ([07:05]): “It sounds kind of funny now, but in both World War II and then in the Cold War that followed, American soft power, which is what VOA represented, was about showing that America could help other countries by helping them rebuild after the war.”

• Dorian Lynskey ([53:32]): “There should be some sense of what to appreciate and what to salvage. And an awareness of the preciousness of life rather than contemplating the end.”

This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the indispensable role that independent media plays in fostering informed and resilient societies, especially in an era where misinformation and authoritarian influences pose significant threats. Concurrently, the exploration of apocalyptic themes invites listeners to reflect on their perceptions of societal collapse and the inherent hope that can emerge from confronting such fears.