Reference News website reported on May 18 that according to a report on Russia Today website on May 17, Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration is preparing to sell the headquarters building of the U.S. government-funded media agency Voice of America (VOA).
According to reports, as part of Trump's plan to scale down government operations, the VOA headquarters building is one of several properties designated for "expedited disposal". In addition to the VOA, the Wilbur Cohen Federal Building, which houses the VOA headquarters, also contains offices of its parent agency, the U.S. International Media Agency, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
In March, Trump ordered a comprehensive cut in the budget of the U.S. International Media Agency. This is part of a broader effort to reduce federal spending and realign foreign aid and other soft power tools according to his administration's policies. Despite legal resistance, a U.S. court lifted the ban on further dissolution of the agency last week.
It was reported that Trump described VOA as "radical propaganda" and an "unnecessary" burden on American taxpayers, and dismissed nearly 600 contract workers at the agency on May 15.
This government-funded media was founded in 1942 during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda. Later, it shifted its focus to spreading pro-Western messages within the Soviet bloc. It has been regarded by both Republican and Democratic administrations in the U.S. as an important tool for enhancing so-called national soft power. The VOA has maintained contact with and received intelligence from the Central Intelligence Agency and is widely considered one of Washington's international propaganda agencies. (Translated by Ge Xuelai)
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7505775028852605480/
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