Today, Explained: Silencing the Voice of America Vox Podcast Episode Released on March 18, 2025

Introduction

In the March 18, 2025 episode of Today, Explained, hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King delve into the alarming shutdown of Voice of America (VOA), an iconic U.S. government-funded international broadcaster. This detailed exploration unpacks the historical significance of VOA, the political maneuvers leading to its silencing, and the broader implications for global information dissemination.

1. The History and Mission of Voice of America

Voice of America was established during World War II with a clear mission: to counter Axis propaganda by broadcasting American perspectives worldwide. As Sean Rameswaram states at [00:00], "Remember World War II? Bad guys, Nazis, Good guys, not the Nazis. It was during those simpler times that the United States launched Voice of America."

Originally airing in languages like German and Japanese, VOA served as a beacon of truthful information, contrasting sharply with state-controlled broadcasters of the era. Steve Herman, VOA’s Chief National Correspondent, elaborates at [05:32]:

“VOA was very unique and unusual in that regard. It's like we're going to build credibility by getting people to believe that what we're putting out on the airwaves has some credibility that it's true.”

Throughout the Cold War, VOA played a pivotal role in disseminating democratic ideals, contributing to significant geopolitical shifts, including the fall of the Berlin Wall by fostering hope and providing uncensored information behind the Iron Curtain.

2. The Recent Executive Order and Shutdown

On a pivotal Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling several federal agencies, including VOA. Sean Rameswaram announces at [02:17]:

“Signing On On Friday, President Trump signed another executive order to dismantle a bunch of federal agencies, including the one in charge of Voice of America...”

In a swift move, more than 1,000 VOA staff members were placed on administrative leave. Steve Herman was specifically targeted due to his social media activities, which drew ire from high-ranking officials who perceived his posts as biased and unaligned with Trump’s administration.

3. Steve Herman’s Experience and Challenges

Steve Herman provides an insider’s perspective on the abrupt changes within VOA. At [03:07], he shares:

"There's a perception that there was a high ranking US Government official who took umbrage with a particular post that I had quoted from a news release from an NGO... which was relative dire in the United States."

Herman emphasizes VOA’s commitment to unbiased reporting despite government funding, urging listeners to assess VOA’s content directly at [05:32]:

“I urge people to watch the newscast... draw your own conclusion about what VOA is and is not.”

4. The Importance of VOA in Global Information

VOA has been a critical source of information in regions with restricted press freedoms. Sean Rameswaram highlights at [08:27]:

“Because if you're an Iranian in Tehran and you turn on your radio this morning to listen to Voice of America on the station, you've always heard it.”

The shutdown leaves a palpable void in places like Iran, where VOA’s absence is noticed as only a promotional loop plays, signaling turmoil and the silencing of external narratives. Herman underscores VOA's role in what he terms "asymmetrical warfare," providing honest reporting on human rights abuses and geopolitical tensions.

5. Carrie Lake’s Role and Influence on VOA’s Demise

Carrie Lake, a prominent figure in Trump’s political circle and a former television news presenter, was appointed to lead VOA. Her tenure marked a significant shift towards aligning VOA with "America First" messaging. At [18:21], Lake is introduced as a staunch Trump loyalist who sought to reform VOA in line with the administration’s priorities.

However, her efforts to transform the agency were met with resistance from within and externally. At [19:00], Lake openly questions the legitimacy of President Joe Biden, reinforcing her alignment with Trump’s agenda. Her attempts to restructure included canceling existing media contracts and placing colleagues like Steve Herman on leave, as noted at [21:05]:

“She took away Agence France Press, the AP. She was sort of trying to doge the agency herself.”

Despite initial hopes for reform, Lake found herself at odds with Trump’s broader strategy to eliminate VOA, leading her to pivot from reforming to witnessing the agency’s collapse. As she states at [24:02], the environment within VOA was "unsalvageable," leaving little room for her reformist ambitions.

6. Broader Implications of VOA’s Shutdown

The dismantling of VOA signifies more than just the closure of a broadcasting service; it represents a strategic retreat from global information influence. Sean Rameswaram reflects at [12:45]:

“The biggest difference with Voice of America is that most Americans won't notice a difference from yesterday to today when Voice of America shuts down.”

The absence of VOA's broadcasts in authoritarian regions leaves citizens without access to reliable information, potentially increasing the influence of state-run propaganda from regimes like Russia, China, and Iran. Furthermore, the shutdown undermines U.S. soft power and public diplomacy efforts, as Herman notes:

“In the realm of public diplomacy, this is probably the biggest bang for our buck in terms of the hard edge of soft power.”

Conclusion

The shutdown of Voice of America under President Trump’s administration marks a significant shift in the United States’ approach to international broadcasting and information dissemination. By silencing VOA, the U.S. relinquishes a vital tool in promoting democratic values and countering authoritarian propaganda globally. The episode of Today, Explained provides a comprehensive overview of these developments, highlighting the historical importance of VOA, the political dynamics leading to its closure, and the far-reaching consequences for global access to unbiased information.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Sean Rameswaram [00:00]: "Remember World War II? Bad guys, Nazis, Good guys, not the Nazis. It was during those simpler times that the United States launched Voice of America."

• Sean Rameswaram [02:17]: "Signing On On Friday, President Trump signed another executive order to dismantle a bunch of federal agencies, including the one in charge of Voice of America..."

• Steve Herman [02:33]: "I'm apparently still the chief national correspondent of the Voice of America and a former VOA White House bureau chief..."

• Steve Herman [05:32]: “I urge people to watch the newscast... draw your own conclusion about what VOA is and is not.”

• Sean Rameswaram [08:27]: "Because if you're an Iranian in Tehran and you turn on your radio this morning to listen to Voice of America on the station, you've always heard it."

• Carrie Lake [18:21]: "You've called Joe Biden an illegitimate president."

• Carrie Lake [19:03]: "He lost the election, and he shouldn't be in the White House. We had a corrupt election."

• Steve Herman [21:05]: "She took away Agence France Press, the AP. She was sort of trying to doge the agency herself."

• Sean Rameswaram [12:45]: “The biggest difference with Voice of America is that most Americans won't notice a difference from yesterday to today when Voice of America shuts down.”

Further Information

For a deeper understanding of the events leading to VOA's shutdown and the political intricacies involved, listen to the full episode of Today, Explained available on major podcast platforms.