Voice of America Stops All Broadcasting After Government Shuts Down

Voice of America (VOA), the U.S. government’s official international broadcaster, has ceased all global operations as of October 1, 2025. This unprecedented halt follows a comprehensive federal government shutdown, leaving millions worldwide without access to its news and information programming.

Voice of America Microphone Silent After Broadcast Halt

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Voice of America (VOA), the U.S. government’s official international broadcaster, has ceased all broadcasting operations globally as of October 1, 2025, following a comprehensive shutdown of the federal government. The unprecedented halt leaves millions of listeners and viewers worldwide without access to VOA’s news and information programming.

The shutdown, which began at midnight on September 30, brought non-essential government functions to a standstill, impacting numerous federal agencies and their employees. For Voice of America, a federal entity funded through the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the lack of appropriations necessitated the immediate furlough of the vast majority of its staff and the suspension of its extensive network of television, radio, and digital content.

Voice of America, established in 1942, operates under a congressional charter to provide accurate, objective, and comprehensive news and information to international audiences, particularly in regions where press freedom is limited. It broadcasts in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of over 311 million people.

The decision to halt all operations underscores the severity of the current government shutdown. While previous shutdowns have impacted federal services, a complete cessation of VOA’s broadcast is widely seen as a significant blow to U.S. public diplomacy and its ability to engage with global audiences.

“This is a deeply regrettable moment for public service journalism and for America’s standing in the world,” stated a spokesperson for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, who wished to remain anonymous due to the ongoing shutdown. “Our journalists are committed to our mission, but without funding, operations cannot continue. The silence from VOA channels will be felt by millions who rely on us for unbiased news.”

The suspension affects critical services, including reporting on international crises, democratic developments, and providing a counterbalance to state-controlled media in various countries. Critics of the shutdown are highlighting the immediate vacuum this creates in the global information landscape, potentially allowing adversarial narratives to proliferate unchecked.

Employees were notified of the furloughs on September 30, with only a skeleton crew remaining to perform essential functions such as maintaining physical infrastructure. However, content production and dissemination have entirely ceased.

The duration of VOA’s broadcast cessation remains uncertain, contingent on when Congress and the White House reach an agreement to restore federal funding. Until then, a vital channel of American communication to the world will remain dark.

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