VOA’s foreign language services are one of America’s best and least costly strategic assets

Ted Lipien, drawing from his experience at VOA during Poland’s Solidarity movement, agrees with VOA Director Michael Abramowitz that VOA’s foreign language services are valuable and cost-effective. He emphasizes that these services require adequate staffing and strong management to respond to crises such as the current situation in Iran. Lipien suggests that the Trump administration should reinstate VOA broadcasts in several key languages, including those for Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea, while scaling back the English service, as English news is widely accessible from multiple sources. He also supports cutting down USAGM’s bureaucracy to redirect funds toward foreign language programming. Overall, he believes well-managed VOA foreign language services play a crucial role in promoting security and peace by countering censorship and disinformation from authoritarian regimes.