The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) made a significant announcement on Thursday, revealing that journalist-turned-politician Kari Lake will be joining the agency as a special advisor. This news comes after an eventful past few months in USAGM’s quest to appoint a new leadership team.
Lake, who has over 30 years of experience in journalism, was initially named by President Donald Trump in December as the ideal candidate to lead Voice of America (VOA). However, due to the ongoing Senate confirmation process for the USAGM CEO, conservative political activist and writer L. Brent Bozell III, the selection for VOA’s top role has been delayed.
In the meantime, USAGM has also been awaiting the appointment of a new bipartisan board, which will work closely with the CEO on important decisions such as appointing or dismissing network heads. The agency’s previous CEO, Amanda Bennett, had stepped down, and Roman Napoli is currently carrying out the duties of the chief executive.
Napoli announced Lake’s arrival at USAGM through an internal email to the staff, and highlighted her impressive credentials, stating that Lake has interviewed numerous world leaders, including two U.S. presidents, and has been honored with two Emmys for her exceptional international reporting.
In her new role as Senior Advisor to the Trump Administration, Lake will play a crucial role in helping USAGM implement policies and strategies that will lead to a more streamlined agency, as well as its networks and grantees. USAGM oversees various entities that are dedicated to reporting news and combatting censorship, with a combined weekly audience reach of over 420 million. These include VOA, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and several non-profits such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Open Technology Fund, and Frontline Media Fund.
Apart from managing these independent networks, USAGM’s mission is to “inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.” Napoli believes that Lake’s extensive experience and expertise will prove invaluable in accomplishing this mission and presenting the policies of the Trump Administration effectively to a global audience.
USAGM’s public affairs department did not respond immediately to VOA’s request for comment, as there is an editorial firewall in place that prevents any involvement in the journalistic output of the entities it oversees. USAGM has been at the forefront of combating disinformation and propaganda since VOA’s early days, when it broadcasted to Nazi Germany during World War II. However, the agency has also faced criticism for alleged bias, mismanagement, inadequate coverage, and security lapses, including vetting of staff.
During her speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference last week, Lake addressed some of the criticism directed at USAGM and stated that as VOA’s director, her focus would be on producing accurate and unbiased reporting. She emphasized that VOA is committed to telling America’s story to the world, but acknowledged that the network’s coverage has had its ups and downs.
Lake firmly believes that truthful and factual reporting is the most potent weapon in the ongoing information war, and she sees VOA as a crucial ally in this battle. She expressed her determination to elevate the network’s standard of reporting and stated that VOA will not become “Trump TV” but will also not tolerate any Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) either. She firmly believes that TDS can be found on channels like CNN, MSNBC, PBS, 60 Minutes, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, but not on VOA.
Apart from her extensive background in journalism, Lake has also ventured into the world of politics, which adds a unique perspective to her role at USAGM. She left her job as a news anchor in Arizona due to what she perceived as disinformation about the pandemic and later ran for governor of Arizona, albeit unsuccessfully. Despite not achieving success in her previous political endeavors, Lake continues to be a strong voice for conservative values and has demonstrated her will to fight for what she believes in.
In conclusion, the addition of Kari Lake to the USAGM team as a special advisor is a significant development that will undoubtedly benefit the agency and its goals. Her vast experience in broadcast journalism and passion for fair and accurate reporting make her a valuable asset to USAGM and will greatly contribute to the agency’s mission to promote freedom and democracy worldwide. We look forward to seeing
