Voice of America Staff Sue Kari Lake Over Propaganda Claims

A group of veteran journalists from Voice of America (VOA) has filed a lawsuit against Kari Lake, a former Trump administration official, claiming that she is promoting pro-Trump propaganda on the network. The lawsuit argues that Lake's actions have undermined the editorial independence of VOA, violating federal law and First Amendment rights.

Norm Eisen, one of the lead attorneys for the plaintiffs, stated, "The Voice of America has been breaching the Constitutional and statutory rules that require that outlet not to push propaganda or censorship." He emphasized the importance of VOA's role in providing truthful information during crises, particularly in regions like Iran.

Lake and the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA, did not respond to requests for comment. In March 2025, President Trump labeled VOA's coverage as anti-American propaganda, leading to a significant reduction in the network's operations. Lake's implementation of this directive has faced challenges in previous lawsuits and has drawn criticism from a federal judge.

The lawsuit also names Michael Rigas, the acting CEO of the agency, as a defendant. Established during World War II, VOA has historically served as a credible source of information, promoting unbiased journalism in countries lacking free press.

Following Trump's executive order, Lake dismissed numerous contractors and placed over 1,000 employees on paid administrative leave, significantly reducing the network's language services from 49 to just six.

As Lake faced legal setbacks, the lawsuit alleges that she attempted to influence VOA's reporting to favor pro-Trump narratives. For instance, she terminated contracts with major news agencies and sought to have VOA air reports from the right-leaning One American News Network, despite such content not being broadcast yet.

Some VOA journalists have expressed concerns over the content being aired in Persian, with reports indicating that there has been excessive promotion of Trump and his administration's stance on various issues, including the ongoing conflict with Iran. This included a broadcast that lauded Trump's first year in office, featuring extensive praise from the anchor and a segment with Lake herself.

The lawsuit further claims that journalists at VOA were prevented from covering protests in Iran that supported the son of the late Shah. Additionally, Ali Javanmardi, an executive overseeing the Persian service, reportedly engaged directly with the audience, aligning public sentiment with Trump's agenda.

While VOA has previously aired editorials representing U.S. policy, the recent segments have blurred the lines between news reporting and political commentary, raising concerns about adherence to a legal framework designed to protect the network's independence from government interference.

A federal judge recently ruled that Lake's actions over the past year were unlawful, stating that she did not possess the authority to make significant decisions regarding the agency's operations. This ruling also addressed the agency's prior withholding of funding designated by Congress for VOA.

The lawsuit was filed by several senior VOA staff members, including the former acting director of the central news division, Barry Newhouse, and the director of the South and Central Asia division, Ayesha Tanzeem. The plaintiffs collectively emphasized that maintaining the integrity of VOA's content is crucial not only legally but also in serving the national interest.

Only Turkova, a journalist for the Russian service, is a contractor who has not returned, citing fears of being influenced by the Trump administration's agenda. The lawsuit alleges violations of First Amendment rights and the legal protections designed to uphold VOA's editorial independence. Organizations such as PEN America and Reporters Without Borders have joined the lawsuit, advocating for press freedom and the protection of journalists.