A federal judge in New York City granted a temporary restraining order on Friday to several Voice of America journalists attempting to stop the Trump administration from shutting down the international broadcaster on the grounds that the move is unlawful and unconstitutional.
US District Court Judge J. Paul Oetken issued the temporary restraining order to prevent any further administration efforts to terminate VOA. The temporary restraining order is in effect for up to 21 days.
Andrew G. Celli Jr., an attorney for the VOA journalists who filed suit, said “This is a decisive victory for press freedom and the First Amendment, and a sharp rebuke to an Administration that has shown utter disregard for the principles that define our democracy.”
“In the world at large, the vacuum left by defendants pulling the plug on USAGM’s news networks is being filled by propagandists whose messages will monopolize global airwaves, while VOA, Radio y Television Martì, RFE/RL, RFA, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and others — credible voices to the contrary — are silenced,” the plaintiffs wrote in their complaint.
Meanwhile, RFE/RL said it awaits funds and continues court case: “RFE/RL’s commitment to our audiences and our Congressionally-mandated mission remains steadfast. We look forward to receiving the funds that Congress has appropriated to us through the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Until then, we will pursue all necessary legal remedies to ensure that Congressional intent is respected.
