USAGM, Led by Kari Lake, Taps OAN for Free Newsfeeds to VOA, OCB; VOA Reaches 360 Million Weekly

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Updated May 7, 2025, 11:00 PM

The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has announced a partnership with One America News Network (OAN) to provide newsfeed services to its networks, including Voice of America (VOA), the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), and Radio Martí. According to senior presidential adviser Kari Lake, OAN will offer its newsfeed and video service free of charge to these government-funded outlets, describing the partnership as an 'enormous benefit to the American taxpayer.' This development follows the indefinite leave of nearly the entire VOA workforce and the termination of contracts with major news agencies such as the Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse. Lake stated that the idea to bring in OAN was suggested by OCB. The VOA, which has an audience of over 360 million people weekly, is currently under court orders to resume programming. A small number of journalists have been asked to return, while contractors have begun receiving termination notices. The move has been criticized by current and former USAGM officials and journalists, including former Chief Financial Officer Grant Turner, who argue that OAN's programming does not align with VOA's statutory mandate of independent, non-partisan journalism. Legal challenges are ongoing, with VOA staffers suing the administration over alleged violations of press freedom and employment rights. OAN, known for its support of President Trump, has previously reached legal settlements related to its coverage of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Kari Lake emphasized that she does not have editorial control over VOA or OCB content. The agency continues to face pending litigation and operational uncertainty.

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