Patsy Widakuswara has covered the White House for America’s International Broadcaster ‘Voice of America’ since 2018, but has now been banned from her job as the Trump administration seeks to dismantle the broadcaster. She and some colleagues are taking legal action to fight for the existence of VOA and its sister organizations. In an extensive interview with DW’s Ines Pohl, she explains how the Trump administration’s actions have resulted in the silencing of the Voice of America (VOA), impacting its role as a crucial source of information for a global audience. Widakuswara and her colleagues are taking legal action to challenge the administration’s efforts to undermine VOA, arguing that it violates First Amendment rights and constitutes executive overreach.
She says that the absence of VOA leaves a significant gap in international broadcasting, which is being exploited by adversaries like Russia and extremist organizations, potentially spreading misinformation.
In her opinion the current situation poses a broader threat to journalism in the U.S., with increased restrictions affecting not only VOA but also other media outlets, contributing to a climate of fear among journalists. The discussion highlights the plight of vulnerable journalists, particularly those on J-1 visas, who face dangerous consequences if forced to return to their home countries due to job losses at VOA.
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