While Trump allies argue that the broadcasters are bloated and biased and outdated, advocates say that by dismantling the networks, the United States is ceding the airwaves to China and other world powers, thereby harming American interests abroad.
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This is what is also happening (or will happen) as a result of the administration's evisceration of USAID, which along with VOA, provides tremendous goodwill around the world. These institutions are why many countries around the world have looked up to the United States. That is no longer true.
I would suggest to Prime Minister #MarkCarney that this is both a danger for freedom of expression in the worlds, and an opportunity to further support #CBCRadioCanada on a global scale.
Here's how dramatic today's dismantling has been: Some of VOA’s local-language radio stations have stopped broadcasting news reports and switched over to music to fill the airtime, according to listeners.
You are currently experiencing the systemic
Dismantling of American Power and Organizational infrastructure.
You can see it, you can see it, you can see it.
Yet you do nothing.
Correction… the Republicans are doing nothing. They hold the power in Congress. They could take back their power and impeach. The rest of us can only protest and challenge issues in court. Most of us are crying.
I’m not so sure. If the gov’t would’ve shut down, the courts would’ve shut down too. I don’t know if Trump would’ve allowed it to reopen. The fact that Rand Paul voted against the CR has me 🤔…
Yet, our Congress continues to say and do nothing about the illegal dismantling of congressionally-approved agencies. Just like Congress says and does nothing as "a CONGRESS" to "claw back" funds that CONGRESS HAS LEGALLY APPROPRIATED.
Congress, as one of the 3 branches of our gov't, is broken.
Absolutely right! Republican controlled congress is broken. No about of many form Musk and gang will get them elected. The voting public is ready to kick them all out in 2026 or any special election before ... looking at Florida in April special elections. Keep Republican out of Congress.
Congress is putting itself out of business. Dictators don’t need Congress. They’re handing over their power, social status, and authority to the orange turd. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Might have something to do with Putin insisting Trump shut down VOA. In March 2022, VOA and other news broadcasters, including the BBC, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Deutsche Welle were blocked in Russia, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian authorities increased censorship of independent journalism, anti-war protests, and dissenting voices. Nevertheless, many Russians have used VPNs and other software to get around Russian government blocks.
So the nations that VoA used to broadcast on shortwave to, will soon be hearing the Chinese State broadcaster on what were VoA's shortwave frequencies.
That's exactly what happened down under. China's probably already adjusting its transmitters. So much for US 'soft diplomacy'.
Ceding influence to China seems to have a lot with what Musk is doing. USAID, cutting scientific funding, VOA. Does he have any ties to the Chinese government?
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Dismantling of American Power and Organizational infrastructure.
You can see it, you can see it, you can see it.
Yet you do nothing.
Congress, as one of the 3 branches of our gov't, is broken.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/trump-plays-music-instead-of-taking-questions-at-town-hall/2024/10/14/164d5017-d2ec-4ef9-bc0d-8103e36f01de_video.html
Guess who broadcasts on the shortwave frequencies once used by Australia's ABC? CRI, the Chinese international broadcaster.
So, CRI will be transmitting on all the old VoA frequencies
That's exactly what happened down under. China's probably already adjusting its transmitters. So much for US 'soft diplomacy'.