🔗 Share this article American Judge Mandates Trump Government to Reopen the VOA broadcaster. Media equipment on a desk. (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images) A US court has ruled that the practical shutdown of the VOA last year was against the law and has commanded the reinstatement of hundreds of its reporters. Court Order Sets One-Week Deadline Federal Judge Royce Lamberth has given authorities seven days to get the VOA broadcasting again. Historical Origins and Trump-Era Closure The VOA was first established in World War Two with the aim of countering Nazi propaganda. Only a short time after returning to office as president, Donald Trump signed an presidential directive to defund the broadcaster, which his officials claimed had political bias. The order also targeted outlets such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, stating they should be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law”. Management Changes and Widespread Dismissals President Trump appointed Kari Lake to run the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent company that oversees and funds the VOA and other networks. Lake proceeded to sack the vast majority of the agency's employees—more than 1,000 staff at VOA by itself—leaving just a small number of employees remaining. Most of the dismissed staff have been on paid administrative leave since last year. This even applied to Persian Service reporters who were temporarily|called back to work after Israel attacked Iran last June. Judge’s Reasoning and Decision Last week, Judge Lamberth ruled that Lake lacked the authority to order the suspension of the USAGM workforce, as she had not been confirmed by the US Senate. In this week's ruling, the judge labeled the decision to sack the journalists as “arbitrary and capricious,”, adding that the government had not taken into account laws that dictate what languages and regions the VOA must serve. “Defendants have provided nothing approaching a principled basis for their decision,” Lamberth wrote. Journalists’ Legal Challenge and Reaction Three VOA journalists had sued the Trump administration. One of them, Patsy Widakuswara, said she was profoundly thankful for the judge's decision. “We hope the American people will continue to support our mission to produce factual reporting, not biased messaging,” she told the Associated Press. Uncertain Future and Broader Context It is uncertain if Lake's nominated successor, Sarah Rogers—whose appointment needs Senate confirmation—will challenge the ruling. Prior to its shutdown, the VOA transmitted TV, radio, and digital content in almost 50 languages. Trump's attacks of the VOA are part of his broader criticism of the US media, which studies suggest American news consumers view as deeply divided.