Sen. Chris Murphy says his bill would "make it totally crystal, 100 percent clear" that political appointees cannot interfere with news coverage, including of President Trump.
Five executives, now suspended, accuse U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack of illegally interfering in newsroom coverage of President Trump, Joe Biden and Black Lives Matter.
An investigation by political appointees into the Voice of America's White House bureau chief for anti-Trump bias is the latest act that may break federal laws promising its journalistic independence.
The Voice of America's acting director says he'll protect his newsroom against outside pressure. NPR reported Sunday that political appointees investigated a reporter for alleged anti-Trump bias.
Two senior Democratic lawmakers are sharply questioning moves by Trump appointee Michael Pack, the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The agency oversees the Voice of America.
The CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Michael Pack, has accused executives of hiring practices that imperil national security. The investigator Pack hired has a protective order against him.
Michael Pack, who leads VOA's parent company, ordered a political appointee to formally review a story on Joe Biden. The move appears to violate bans on political meddling in coverage.
Fourteen Voice of America journalists accused USAGM CEO Michael Pack of imperiling reporters. Pack recently said of VOA, "It's a great place to put a foreign spy."
The agency that oversees international media such as Voice of America is examining visa renewals "case-by-case." Denial could mean expulsion from the U.S. and a return to hostile home countries.
Dozens of foreign nationals working in the U.S. for Voice of America may have to leave the country, putting some at risk of retribution from their nations' governments.
