OAN Will Provide News Feed Services to VOA
'This is an enormous benefit to the American taxpayer, who is the sole source of funding for USAGM's news outlets, which broadcast only to international audiences,' Lake said in a statement posted on social media.
'I can ensure our outlets have reliable and credible options as they work to craft their reporting and news programs,' Lake added, noting that she does not have editorial control over VOA content and OCB programming. 'Every day, I look for ways to save American taxpayers money. Bringing in OAN as a video/news source does both.'
According to Lake, the conservative-leaning network will provide its news feed service at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. No timeline was offered for when VOA and other USAGM networks-including the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) and Radio Martí-would start to feature OAN's feed.
In March, the Trump administration laid off hundreds of staffers and canceled VOA's contracts with major news services, including AP, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.
David Seide, an attorney representing employees challenging their dismissal from the agency, told the AZCentral publication that Lake's move is 'illegal.'
'USAGM by law cannot interfere with Voice of America's statutory mandate to be an independent media source,' he said. 'OAN calls itself one of Donald Trump's 'greatest supporters.''
In an interview with NPR, former U.S. Agency for Global Media Chief Financial Officer Grant Turner described Lake's actions as 'a mockery of the agency's history of independent non-partisan journalism.'
OAN's primetime programming includes the political talk show, The Matt Gaetz Show, which launched in January. The former congressman is also the co-host of a weekly video podcast, Real America with Dan Ball.
In April 2024, OAN settled a defamation case brought by Smartmatic for an undisclosed sum.
The lawsuit's origins date back to the 2020 presidential election, when Smartmatic accused several news networks-including Fox News, Newsmax, and OAN-of repeatedly publishing reports claiming that the company and its software altered votes to ensure former President Joe Biden's victory.
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