Read on Twitter
Thread: It may seem like some quaint vestige of a time gone by.
But let me spell out why I think developments at the Voice of America and its parent agency are important to track, even as so many crises are unfolding before our eyes. /cont
My latest: https://www.npr.org/2020/10/04/919266194/political-aides-investigate-voa-white-house-reporter-for-anti-trump-bias
But let me spell out why I think developments at the Voice of America and its parent agency are important to track, even as so many crises are unfolding before our eyes. /cont
My latest: https://www.npr.org/2020/10/04/919266194/political-aides-investigate-voa-white-house-reporter-for-anti-trump-bias
The VOA reaches 280MM+ people abroad each week. It provides a service for lands that don't have a free press and serves as a symbol of American political liberty & open debate by covering all sides.
Staffers tell me its credibility is being damaged by its CEO, appointed by Trump
Staffers tell me its credibility is being damaged by its CEO, appointed by Trump
Trump & WH routinely seek to thwart flow of independent information.
Right now, a key part of the WH crisis is credibility: can you trust what it says on the pandemic, on Trump's own health, on the economy & so on.
Right now, a key part of the WH crisis is credibility: can you trust what it says on the pandemic, on Trump's own health, on the economy & so on.
You've seen that during the Trump years with National Parks Service, NOAA, EPA, DHS, DOJ, intel communities, now CDC & NIH - and the effort to kill the military paper Stars & Stripes too con't /
There's a direct line to what's happening at the Voice of America
There's a direct line to what's happening at the Voice of America
Two pro-Trump political appointees, in the heat of the 2020 election, have investigated VOA's top political reporter, @W7VOA
They found "conflict of interest" because, they claim, he is biased against Trump. Why? /
They found "conflict of interest" because, they claim, he is biased against Trump. Why? /
It's not because of undisclosed family ties or partisan affiliation.
Instead, these two Trump fans claim, Herman's stories and tweets *prove* him to be anti-Trump; he acted unethically, they say, by failing to disclose that conflict.
Instead, these two Trump fans claim, Herman's stories and tweets *prove* him to be anti-Trump; he acted unethically, they say, by failing to disclose that conflict.
I've reported on incidents in the Urdu service; the French to Africa service, and the Spanish language service. Each involved coverage of Trump or Bidens.
No concrete transgressions by Herman were identified. Yet they called for recusal & delivered report to acting VOA chief.
No concrete transgressions by Herman were identified. Yet they called for recusal & delivered report to acting VOA chief.
Regardless, USAGM's CEO is not supposed to direct coverage. "Firewall" affords legal protection.
Don't take my word for it. From USAGM:
"The firewall prohibits interference by U.S. government officials, including the USAGM’s Chief Executive Officer" https://www.usagm.gov/rumors-myths-untruths/
Don't take my word for it. From USAGM:
"The firewall prohibits interference by U.S. government officials, including the USAGM’s Chief Executive Officer" https://www.usagm.gov/rumors-myths-untruths/
The two USAGM aides appointed by Pack are named Frank Wuco and Samuel Dewey. Wuco is a former right-wing talk show host & conspiracy theorist who worked for DHS under Trump; Dewey worked for awhile as an investigator for Congressional Republicans and has pro MAGA twitter stream.
If two highly partisan political appointees can force the reassignment of the VOA's top political and White House reporter in campaign season, what use is that "firewall"?
What message does that send through the rest of the newsroom?
What future reports will be blocked?
What message does that send through the rest of the newsroom?
What future reports will be blocked?
Americans rarely come across VOA or its sister networks.
Yet People inside VOA and others who believe in its "soft power" of diplomacy by example say its credibility is under assault.
They say this is what it looks like when the levers of government are used against the press.
Yet People inside VOA and others who believe in its "soft power" of diplomacy by example say its credibility is under assault.
They say this is what it looks like when the levers of government are used against the press.
Once more, my latest on the VOA;
https://www.npr.org/2020/10/04/919266194/political-aides-investigate-voa-white-house-reporter-for-anti-trump-bias
/fin
https://www.npr.org/2020/10/04/919266194/political-aides-investigate-voa-white-house-reporter-for-anti-trump-bias
/fin
