Domestic solar energy expansion in Malaysia may receive a boost due to U.S. tariffs, according to industry insiders.
Revived VOA Gears Up for Comeback after Legal Battles
Washington, May 4 newsflash - The US Justice Department has greenlit Voice of America (VOA) to return to the airwaves next week, as per a press release from the press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and a VOA employee.
The government-funded international broadcaster has been silent since President Trump ordered the disbanding of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) in March. USAGM is responsible for overseeing VOA, Radio Free Asia, and distributing federal funding for their operations.
Chief national correspondent of VOA, Steve Herman, revealed the development on social media, stating that the Justice Department expects VOA staff to return to work and resume broadcasting by next week. Two unnamed VOA staffers confirmed their work email accounts, previously frozen, were now unblocked, although they haven't received formal notice to report back.
In an email to RSF, the Justice Department stated,
While the revival of VOA marks a minor victory for critics of the Trump administration, questions remain over the long-term future of the broadcaster. Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with VOA, questioning why the broadcaster with millions of weekly listeners and viewers worldwide wasn't promoting his administration's viewpoint[4].
In a letter to congressional lawmakers last month, several former VOA directors, nominated across party lines throughout the years, urged Congress to intervene and restore VOA following a federal judge's ruling that Trump's shutdown of the outlet violated the law[5].
As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the ongoing legal battles surrounding VOA serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by the global press[1]. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds.
Enrichment Data:The current status of Voice of America (VOA) is that it is set to resume operations following a series of legal developments. On April 22, 2025, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore VOA, citing that the efforts to dismantle it likely violated the law and Constitution[2][4]. This decision was in response to an executive order signed on March 14, 2025, which led to the suspension of over 1,400 journalists and contractors and prompted a halt in VOA's programming[1][2].
An email from the Justice Department to VOA staff indicated plans for a phased return to work and the resumption of programming starting the week of May 3, 2025. However, the future of VOA remains uncertain as a federal appellate court subsequently paused the ruling that reversed the dismantling of the outlet[3].
Despite these developments, VOA is expected to initiate a gradual return to normal operations, with staff regaining access to their systems and a phased approach to office reopening[3].
- The International News, on May 4, reported that the US government has allowed Voice of America (VOA) to resume operations after a legal battle, following the Justice Department's approval.
- The revived VOA, an international broadcasting entity, is now gearing up to address environmental-science issues like climate-change and the advancement of renewable-energy in the industry.
- This development could potentially incite discussions on the role of government in funding such international news ventures, intertwining finance and the dissemination of critical information.
- Despite the temporary resumption of VOA's activities, the underlying legal battles surrounding its long-term future persist, affecting the global press and international law.
- As the global energy sector transitions towards sustainability, VOA's coverage of renewable-energy and climate-change could significantly impact public opinion, fostering greater awareness and potential investment.
