Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Lawmakers Criticize Trump Administration Changes at US-funded Media Networks

Katherine Gypson

   U.S. lawmakers from both parties said Thursday that they feared the
   Voice of America and other U.S.-funded broadcasters were at risk of
   losing credibility with foreign audiences because of actions by new CEO
   Michael Pack.

   Pack, the first presidential appointee to serve in a new position that
   Congress created to streamline and modernize U.S.-funded broadcasting
   efforts, has faced bipartisan criticism for his actions since taking
   charge in June.

   Thursday's hearing was the first time that lawmakers have had the
   opportunity to publicly examine Pack's changes at the U.S. Agency for
   Global Media, the parent agency of VOA, Radio Free Asia, and other
   U.S.-funded broadcasters.

   Pack said he had a scheduling conflict and could not attend, despite a
   subpoena from House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel, a Democrat
   from New York.

   "He has shown tremendous disrespect for the committee, our committee,
   and its role overseeing USAGM. He's the wrong person for the job. He
   should resign. And if he doesn't, the president should fire him," Engel
   said.

   Audience of 350 million

   USAGM's annual budget of around $800 million funds news programming
   that each week reaches an estimated 350 million people in 62 languages.

   Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, the ranking Republican on the
   committee, said Pack's decision to not attend "ignored the will of
   Congress."

   McCaul singled out USAGM's decision to freeze $18 million in funding to
   the Open Technology Fund (OTF) as a particularly dangerous decision.

   "I believe his actions damaged support during the height of unrest in
   Hong Kong. And they are continuing to do so today in Belarus. Their
   tragic lack of support to freedom and democracy movements is also
   regrettable," McCaul said Thursday.

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