AFSCME responds to ruling restraining shutdown of the U.S. Agency for Global Media and Voice of America

NEW YORK – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order to cease further efforts to shutter the U.S. Agency for Global Media and Voice of America (VOA):

“For now, the billionaires running this administration must pause their campaign to silence free and fair reporting. The government tried to argue that our case had no basis while at the same time releasing a reduction in force plan to lay off all AFSCME members at Voice of America – whose work is mandated by Congress. From AFSCME-represented audio engineers to journalists and more, USAGM workers are integral in distributing news to people living in oppressive regimes, and we will keep fighting against these unconstitutional attacks on their freedoms.”