Kari Lake's Voice of America Partnership with OAN Criticized

Partnership with One America News Network

• 🎯 Kari Lake, as senior adviser to the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), has announced a partnership between Voice of America (VOA) and One America News Network (OAN).
• 💡 This collaboration will involve VOA serving up OAN's pro-Trump news reports to international audiences, effectively meaning the US government may directly finance right-wing propaganda.
• ⚠️ OAN has a history of being wildly right-wing and pro-Trump, even settling lawsuits related to their coverage of Trump's 2020 election fraud claims.

Impact on Voice of America's Mission

• 📉 Historically, VOA, especially during the Cold War, provided a contrast to authoritarian regimes by broadcasting news, including criticism of the US government, which was seen as a demonstration of American democracy and freedom.
• 🎭 The current partnership is described as a shift towards "North Korean style propaganda" that marches in lockstep with leadership, potentially making American democracy seem less special.
• 📢 The move is seen as a tragic loss for VOA's role in American soft power and international messaging.

Criticism of the Deal

• 💰 Kari Lake stated that OAN offered their news feed and video service free of charge, which the hosts interpret as a sign of the content's low market value.
• 🚫 The hosts express concern that this partnership lacks balance, questioning if TYT or other outlets would be approached for a similar collaboration.
• 🤡 OAN is characterized as so over-the-top, comical, and clownish that it's unlikely to be effective propaganda, potentially making VOA a laughingstock.

Historical Context and Future Implications

• ⏳ Trump had previously ordered the dismantling of USAGM, raising questions about the long-term future of VOA under Lake's management.
• 🤷 The hosts debate whether the US should fund VOA at all, especially if pursuing an isolationist "America First" foreign policy.
• 📊 A poll on whether Voice of America should be funded shows a 50/50 split, indicating public division on the issue.