"Right now would be a really good time for the US to have a direct line to speak to the Iranian people. A radio station, broadcasting directly into Iran from a friendly Gulf state like, say ... Kuwait. But we don't because Arizona's perennial loser Kari Lake pulled the plug last year on most of Radio Farda, which previously broadcast news in Farsi into Iran, along with much of Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty."
"Lake has been locked in a pitched battle with a Judge Royce Lamberth in DC as she desperately tries to prove herself to President Trump by burning down the media outlets which have been a major source of American soft power since World War II. But instead the court ruled that installing her as 'Deputy CEO' of USAGM was an illegal end-run around Senate confirmation, and everything she did was a nullity."
"As president-elect, Trump promised to appoint Lake director of VOA, 'to ensure that the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the World FAIRLY and ACCURATELY, unlike the lies spread by the Fake News Media.' And maybe at the time he really meant it! But once in office, Trump fired most of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board, which must approve the director of VOA."
The US government eliminated Radio Farda and reduced Voice of America operations through Kari Lake's controversial leadership at USAGM. Lake was appointed Deputy CEO after Trump's plan to make her VOA director failed due to lack of board quorum. A federal court ruled her appointment illegal, circumventing required Senate confirmation. This dismantling of international broadcasting outlets removes crucial American soft power tools that have operated since World War II. The timing is particularly problematic given current geopolitical tensions, as direct communication channels to Iranian citizens are now unavailable. Trump's broader agenda included eliminating USAGM entirely as part of government restructuring efforts.
#us-international-broadcasting #kari-lake-usagm #radio-farda #voice-of-america #government-restructuring
Read at Above the Law
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