The Documentary Podcast The Global Jigsaw: The Trump effect on global media
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May 18, 2025 Moses Rono, a BBC Monitoring voice, discusses the profound impact of Trump's administration on global media, particularly the funding cuts to crucial outlets like Voice of America. He highlights the long-term damage these cuts pose to independent journalism, viewed as a gift to dictators. The conversation reveals how authoritarian nations may exploit the resulting media vacuum, especially in regions like Africa. Rono emphasizes the critical need for diverse media sources to counter state narratives and misinformation in today's complex information landscape.
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Chainsaw Cuts to US Media
- The Trump administration's large funding cuts to US global media are described as a "chainsaw approach."
- These cuts risk silencing major independent broadcasters like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, impacting global audiences.
Personal VOA Listening Experience
- Moses Rono grew up listening to VOA and similar broadcasters as trusted, impartial news sources during the Cold War.
- These outlets shaped his interest in global affairs and represented a window to the wider world.
Listening to VOA with Father
- Samia Hosny recalls listening to VOA news broadcasts during the 1973 Egypt-Israel conflict with her father.
- VOA provided balanced perspectives from conflicting sides that state media couldn't deliver.