Presidents don’t usually choose the head of Voice of America (VOA), a government-funded international news broadcaster. However, President-elect Donald Trump recently announced on social media that he wants Kari Lake, his ally and former TV anchor, to take over the role.
In a post on Wednesday night, Trump said, “I am pleased to announce that Kari Lake will serve as our next Director of the Voice of America.” This statement has sparked fears and debates within VOA, which became a political battleground during Trump’s first presidency.
Many VOA journalists are worried about Lake's potential appointment. Known for her criticism of the media and for denying election results, Lake's leadership raises concerns about VOA’s independence. “We’re hoping the safeguards in place will hold,” one VOA employee told CNN anonymously.
What Is Voice of America?
VOA is part of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees other networks like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Its mission is to produce reliable journalism and promote democratic values worldwide. For decades, VOA has been seen as a counter to foreign propaganda and a model of free and fair news reporting.
To protect its independence, VOA has a "firewall" that prevents U.S. government officials from interfering with its journalism. While Trump’s post suggests Lake as the next director, appointing someone to this role isn’t as simple as a social media announcement.
The Appointment Process
Trump’s statement mentioned that Lake will work closely with the new head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, whose appointment he plans to announce soon. However, there are legal and procedural steps involved.
During Trump’s first term, it took two years for his nominee, Michael Pack, to be confirmed as head of the agency. Once confirmed, Pack made sweeping changes, firing network heads, appointing Trump loyalists, and allegedly trying to influence news coverage. His actions caused significant disruption and led to whistleblower complaints.
In response to these issues, Congress introduced reforms. Now, the head of VOA can only be appointed or removed with approval from a bipartisan advisory board. This board, designed to protect VOA’s independence, works alongside the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
Current Leadership
The current VOA director, Michael Abramowitz, was appointed just a few months ago. A former journalist and president of Freedom House, Abramowitz has been well-received by VOA staff. He has emphasized VOA’s mission to deliver accurate, comprehensive news and share America’s story with audiences around the world.
In contrast, Trump described the mission in more political terms, saying Lake would ensure “the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the world fairly and accurately, unlike the lies spread by the Fake News Media.”
The Road Ahead
Before Lake can be considered for the role, Trump must nominate someone to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media. This nominee and the advisory board will then decide on the VOA position. While the board will lean Republican next year due to a new appointee from Trump’s State Department, its structure still provides some protection against political pressure.
For now, VOA employees remain uneasy about the possibility of Lake replacing Abramowitz. As one employee put it, “Many of us are very disturbed by this idea.”
The current board chair, Kenneth Jarin, a Biden appointee, declined to comment on Trump’s announcement.
