Trump's closure of USAGM threats foreign journalists' safety

The Trump administration's decision to close news outlets run by the U.S. Agency for Global Media could endanger foreign journalists. These journalists often work in countries without free press, and their lives could be at risk if they are forced to return home. The Voice of America and other similar agencies employ many reporters who face threats in countries like Afghanistan, China, and Russia. Some journalists have visas to work in the U.S. but may soon have to find new jobs or face deportation. Their work has made them targets, with some governments labeling them as terrorists. Cases like that of Alsu Kurmasheva, a Radio Free Europe reporter who was imprisoned in Russia, highlight the danger that these journalists face. Currently, nine journalists from these U.S. agencies are jailed in various countries. The closure of these outlets raises concerns about how the U.S. will negotiate for the release of these imprisoned reporters. The Voice of America has long been a vital source of credible news, representing American values such as freedom of speech. This situation comes at a time when transparency in government is being celebrated during Sunshine Week. Many hope Congress will intervene to protect these journalists and the agencies that support free press, emphasizing that the focus should not solely be on cutting costs while ignoring commitments to those who have put their trust in the U.S.