The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has recently announced the appointment of journalist-turned-politician Kari Lake as a special adviser. This move comes as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to streamline the agency in order to effectively present his administration’s policies and strategies to the world.
Lake, who has been a journalist for 30 years, was initially named by President Trump as the person he wanted to lead Voice of America (VOA) in December. However, her appointment was delayed as the USAGM awaits the confirmation hearing of L. Brent Bozell III, Trump’s pick for the agency’s head, and the installation of a new bipartisan board.
In an email to the agency’s staff, Roman Napoli, who is currently carrying out the duties of USAGM’s chief executive, expressed his excitement about Lake joining the team. He praised her wealth of experience in broadcast journalism and highlighted her achievements, including interviewing world leaders and receiving two Emmys for international reporting.
As a special advisor, Lake will play a crucial role in helping USAGM implement the policies and strategies needed to streamline the agency, its networks, and its grantees. With a combined weekly audience reach of over 420 million, the agency oversees several entities dedicated to reporting news and combating censorship, including VOA, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and several nonprofits.
USAGM’s mission is to “inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.” In his email, Napoli emphasized Lake’s experience and how it will be invaluable in carrying out this mission and effectively presenting the policies of the Trump Administration to the world.
It is important to note that USAGM has an editorial firewall in place, preventing any involvement in the journalistic output of the entities it oversees. These media outlets have been at the forefront of fighting against disinformation and propaganda since VOA’s first broadcasts during World War II. However, they have also faced criticism for alleged bias, mismanagement, and security lapses.
In her remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference last week, Lake addressed some of the criticism directed at USAGM. She stated that as the director of VOA, she will focus on producing “accurate and honest reporting.” Lake also acknowledged that the network has had its moments of both incredible and pitiful coverage, but she believes that the truth is the most powerful weapon in the information war.
It is worth mentioning that there have been calls to cut funding for VOA from Trump special adviser, Elon Musk. In response, Lake reassured the audience that VOA will not become “Trump TV” but also made it clear that it will not be “TDS TV” (referring to Trump Derangement Syndrome). She stated that those who are looking for biased coverage can find it on other news outlets, but VOA will remain committed to delivering the truth.
Apart from her extensive background in journalism, Lake has also ventured into politics. She left her job at an Arizona news station due to what she believed was disinformation about the pandemic and ran for governor of Arizona and senator, though both runs were unsuccessful. Lake’s experience in both journalism and politics will certainly be an asset in her new role at USAGM.
In conclusion, the addition of Kari Lake as a special adviser to the USAGM is a positive and strategic move that will help the agency in effectively presenting the policies of the Trump Administration to the world. With her vast experience and determination to deliver accurate and honest reporting, Lake will be a valuable asset in the agency’s mission to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.
