At the Voice of America, the Trump administration is moving swiftly to assert its vision

As it has with other government agencies, the Trump administration is moving swiftly to assert its vision at the Voice of America.

As it does so, a question hangs in the air: Is the news organization’s journalistic mission, which dates to World War II, in for some fundamental changes?

Within the past week, VOA placed veteran U.S.-based journalist Steve Herman on an extended absence to investigate his social media activities, and moved to reassign White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, who had been disciplined during the first Trump administration.

President Donald Trump’s choice to lead VOA, unsuccessful Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, joined the organization as a special adviser while awaiting the approval necessary to take over.

Voice of America beams audio and online news reports about the United States throughout the world, typically in the native languages of countries where it operates.

The agency’s charter requires that its journalists deliver independent news and information, and not be a government mouthpiece.

At birth, Voice of America told stories about democracy to people in Nazi Germany.