VOA was established during World War II, broadcasting its first program on February 1, 1942. The broadcasts were aimed at countering Nazi propaganda and delivering reliable news to audiences in war-torn Europe.
The inaugural broadcast began with the words:
“The news may be good. The news may be bad. We shall tell you the truth.”
John Houseman (1942–1943):
The first director of VOA, Houseman, was primarily a theatrical producer, writer, and Hollywood figure before assuming leadership. Although he had no formal journalism background, he was instrumental in crafting VOA’s early mission and tone during World War II.
Kenneth R. Giddens (1969–1977)
Giddens was a real estate developer and radio station owner before becoming VOA director. His background was primarily in business and media management rather than journalism.
VOA’s funding has been approximately $252 million annually (2022), with overall USAGM funding exceeding $800 million, covering all affiliated networks.
Investments have focused on digital transformation, countering disinformation, and expanding programming in Russia, China, and Africa.
Voice of America (VOA), part of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), has periodically been scrutinized for its budget and influence.
In June 2020, Michael Pack, appointed CEO of USAGM, dismissed heads of several broadcasting entities, including VOA.
This led a bipartisan group of senators to express "deep concern" and announce plans to review USAGM's funding, questioning the agency's management and direction.
Notable Journalists and Contributors:
Robert Sherwood:
A Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and speechwriter for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
William Harlan Hale
The broadcaster delivered VOA’s first German-language program on February 1, 1942.Opened the broadcast with the famous declaration:
“The news may be good. The news may be bad. We shall tell you the truth.”
George V. Allen:
Served as director of VOA later in its history (1950s) and helped expand its reach during the Cold War.
Advocated for cultural programming, such as jazz, to complement hard news broadcasts.
Willis Conover:
Hosted the legendary jazz program Music USA, which became one of VOA’s most popular shows during the Cold War.
Conover’s broadcasts introduced American jazz to audiences behind the Iron Curtain, showcasing U.S. cultural freedom.
Howard Fast:
An acclaimed novelist and one of VOA’s early writers.
He contributed scripts and commentary during wartime, though his later association with leftist politics created controversy.
Robert Bauer:
Known for his German-language broadcasts, Bauer was a key figure in making VOA credible to European audiences.
In July 2024, Rep. Burchett introduced a budget amendment to eliminate funding for USAGM, which oversees VOA. He cited issues such as alleged failures in staff vetting and misconduct by senior executives.
VOA broadcasts in over 40 languages and reaches over 280 million people weekly through radio, television, and online content.
