(CTN News) – Trump’s Friday layoff letters hurt Voice of America and its sister stations. A Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent in Azerbaijan was sentenced to nine years for false accusations the same day.

Federally funded foreign journalists are concerned if the US will aid them if their governments react to recent revelations about their corporations.

To comply with President Trump’s executive order, senior White House adviser Kari Lake announced Friday that the U.S. Agency for Global Media will lay off 1,400 employees, or 85%, by mid-March.

The cuts nearly destroy Voice of America, which has given news and culture to totalitarian nations since WWII. “For decades,” he stated, “American taxpayers have supported a bureaucracy that is dysfunctional, biased, and wasteful.” That’s it for today.

Federal officials questioned her position before Trump’s second term.

Voice of America director Michael Abramowitz wrote to colleagues, “The agency’s actions appear to be extensive and would undermine Voice of America’s congressionally mandated obligation to disseminate impartial news to isolated societies and other regions worldwide.”

Friday afternoon found him on forced paid administrative leave without a termination notice. Before the current employee notices, Lake fired 500 Voice of America contractors; many of them were foreigners with language and journalistic skills. Lake urges Congress to cut commercial and government-funded international networks. Free Asia, Europe/Liberty, MOBN.

Lake’s behavior questioned the government’s support for non-American journalists on these networks abroad. They confronted hazards in their own countries that threatened their lives and livelihoods.

The story was told to NPR and Voice of America.

“The U.S. government must protect those who work for it.”

Case of Farid Mehralizada

For fraud, tax evasion, and smuggling, Azerbaijan sentenced Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent Farid Mehralizada to nine years in prison on Friday.

The Mehralizada claims are disputed by human rights groups and network administrators. Mehralizada, an economist, stated in court he wanted to use his works to illustrate Azerbaijan’s difficulties.

She adds, “The sole method of achieving sustainable economic development in any country is for citizens to comprehend the fundamental nature of economic processes, to guarantee freedom of expression, and to ensure participation in decision-making.” “Unfortunately, journalism is currently almost synonymous with terrorism in our country.”

He missed his child’s birth while in prison for a year before his trial. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty CEO Stephen Capus wants Mehralizada home. “He stated that RFE/RL’s journalists, who are funded by the United States, operate in some of the most perilous environments that can be imagined..

“Farid’s case serves as a tragic illustration of the hazards associated with disclosing unpalatable information.” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty staff are in Crimea, Russia, and Belarus prisons. Three Radio Free Asia freelancers spent 6-11 years in Vietnam.

Three Voice of America correspondents are in Vietnamese, Azerbaijani, and Myanmar prisons. VOA journalists from hostile or autocratic nations are afraid to return home after their non-immigrant J-1 visas expire this month.

US jobs are commonly gained through colleagues. Many crave safety.

Six Voice of America correspondents from Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa were interviewed by NPR. They fear jail, job restrictions, or worse when they return home. Voice of America’s foreign language correspondent fears returning to West Africa. NPR is hiding his identity and country of origin at his request to protect him and his family.

Media in his country cannot criticize the government or protesters. Destroy foreign media. Because public reporting was risky in his country and others, he moved to the US. A Voice of America correspondent informs NPR that a procession will not honor her. Can scatter. They may imprison or abduct me.

He worries about family.

“It is merely a jolt to the stomach.” Voice of America’s Ivana Konstantinovic Lake’s extensive contractor firings led to the termination of a Serbian news anchor and producer in D.C. in the spring. She returned two years after Trump dismissed her. Although reporting on Serbia is challenging, she says it’s less oppressive than Russia. Media attacks are escalating, says the CPJ.

He noted, “Independent journalists are the targets of the Serbian government.” Our experience, language skills, contacts with target audiences, and political understanding led to our call to Washington, D.C. VOA needs us.

Jessica Jerreat, Voice of America press freedom editor, considers Trump’s executive order deceptive. Jerreat claims international correspondents are rejected. “This presidential order eliminates your obligation.” “It ruins their professionalism and service.”

Voice of America fired Jerreat, a lawsuit plaintiff, on Friday.

SOURCE: NPR