Kari Lake Strikes Deal For OAN To Provide News Content To Voice Of America

The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) will now use content from One America News Network (OAN), a conservative media outlet. This deal, spearheaded by USAGM senior advisor Kari Lake, will provide OAN's video and news feed to USAGM's networks at no cost. Lake stated the agreement benefits taxpayers, expanding news content options for agency journalists. The initiative originated with the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which sought OAN's content for its broadcasts. The move comes amidst a plan to shrink the federal government and dismantle agencies deemed wasteful by the Trump administration. USAGM had previously placed employees on leave and terminated contracts with major wire services to cut costs. The agreement with OAN is estimated to save $53 million annually, according to Lake, who is looking for ways to reduce expenses. This reorganization faces pushback from some VOA journalists who worry about the deal's impact on credibility. The Trump administration, viewing VOA as biased, labeled it “The Voice of Radical America.” Democrats also criticized the OAN deal, accusing the administration of repurposing VOA as a pro-Trump propaganda outlet. Court actions concerning employee reinstatement have been blocked. OAN was launched in 2013 and is known for its conservative perspectives.