USAGM's Editorial Firewall Is Being Challenged

The editorial firewall created back in 94 was supposed to protect reporting from political interference by the people who controlled their purse strings. With President Obama's approval, Congress consolidated the board that oversaw Voice of America and RFEL into a single CEO position for sitting president. In 2020, Donald Trump's appointee, Michael Pack, cleaned house. The agency organized a town hall meeting for staff to focus on strengthening the editorial firewall. Dan senses that VOA journalists have always been self-aware about its flaws.