In this episode, we speak with Steve Herman, Chief National Correspondent for Voice of America (VOA) and former White House Bureau Chief, about the unprecedented shutdown of VOA in March 2025 after 83 years of continuous broadcasting. Herman explains how VOA served as America’s “soft power,” reaching 340 million people weekly through 49 language services and operating on a modest $250 million budget (equivalent to “two fighter jets”). He details VOA’s mission to provide accurate, balanced news to people living under authoritarian regimes or in regions lacking robust media infrastructure. We discuss the legal battles between VOA staff and their parent agency, with Herman arguing the shutdown violates Congressional intent and the VOA Charter. He shares insights on VOA’s importance in global diplomacy, its “firewall” ensuring editorial independence, and the concerning proposal to replace VOA content with One America News programming. Herman urges listeners to support the #SaveVOA campaign and contact their Congressional representatives to help restore this vital American institution.
Links & Resources:
- Steve Herman bio
- Steve Herman Substack
- Docket: WIDAKUSWARA v. LAKE, 1:25-cv-01015, (D.D.C.)
- Docket: RFE/RL, INC. v. LAKE, 1:25-cv-00799, (D.D.C.)
- NYT Tracker of lawsuits against Trump administration
- “Behind the White House Curtain: A Senior Journalist’s Story of Covering the President―and Why It Matters” by Steve Herman
- 5/7/25 Guardian article: “‘Maduro did not close our bureau – Trump did’: Voice of America journalists speak out”
- Article about Joseph Nye and “Soft Power”
- Buy REM’s Radio Free Europe fundraiser release
- W7VOA – Steve’s ham radio hobby page
- #SAVEVOA Campaign