(WASHINGTON) – PEN America today applauded a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth striking down the unlawful appointment of Kari Lake to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and called for the quick return of hundreds of journalists to Voice of America who were laid off by Lake in 2025.
“Ensuring that VOA is once again fully operational is critical for holding governments accountable and bringing fact-based reporting to audiences around the world—especially with an escalating war in the Persian Gulf and Middle East. This ruling highlights the importance of independent government-funded journalism, which this administration has dismantled as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against journalists who refuse to echo its narrative,” said Tim Richardson, journalism and disinformation program director at PEN America. “While Congress has largely cowed to the White House’s demands, the legislative branch must step up its oversight and act to ensure that VOA journalists are restored so they can resume their mission of delivering accurate, independent news.”
Lake had been leading the agency without Senate confirmation. During that time, she moved to dismantle USAGM by overseeing mass layoffs and suspensions of journalists, canceling contracts and grants that support independent broadcasters in closed media environments, and shuttering or severely shrinking key broadcasting operations. Lake has said the ruling will be appealed.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057