Mayra de Lassalette
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mayradelassalette.bsky.social
Mayra de Lassalette
@mayradelassalette.bsky.social
Journalist at VOA
Trainer, a storytelling aficionada
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
VOA went from 49 languages to just 4.

It once reached 361M weekly. Now, a judge says the Trump admin is violating the law—and gave them until Aug 13 to fix it.

📎 savevoa.com/data/measuri...
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom #VOAMatters
August 1, 2025 at 10:49 PM
The US president, who is preparing to host the signing ceremony for the peace agreement between Kinshasa and Kigali in Washington, is seeking to involve the Togolese and Angolan heads of state.
Great lakes : Donald Trump keen to replicate the mini-summit formula
The US president, who is preparing to host the signing ceremony for the peace agreement between Kinshasa and Kigali in Washington, is seeking to involve the Togolese and Angolan heads of state.
www.africaintelligence.com
July 31, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
The Senate voted to approve a $9 billion rescission package aimed at clawing back money already allocated for public radio and television — a major step toward winding down nearly six decades of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. https://n.pr/44QnXjT
Senate approves cuts to NPR, PBS and foreign aid programs
The Senate voted to approve a $9 billion rescission package aimed at clawing back money already allocated for public radio and television.
n.pr
July 17, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Some history lessons 📚
In the first VOA broadcast in February 1942 it promised, “The news may be good or bad; we shall tell you the truth”.
BBC heard the testimony of Eugene Kern who walked in one day in 1942 to casually ask about a job, and was put to work producing a Finnish programme.
BBC Audio | Witness History | The start of Voice of America
The broadcaster Voice of America was created in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda
www.bbc.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Dear fellow Americans,
This 4th of July, we wish we could share your stories with the world, like we’ve done for 83 years.
But we can’t.
Our voice has been silenced.

#SaveVOA #happy4thofjuly
We can't tell America story anymore #shorts
YouTube video by SaveVOA
youtube.com
July 3, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
🙏 Please support our VOA colleagues who’ve lost jobs, healthcare, and immigration protections. Proceeds help fund legal aid, medical bills, and emergency relief through the USAGM Employee Association.
🫱 www.customink.com/fundraising/...
July 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Feminist or figurehead?
“When a few women win power, they become symbols of progress. But symbols don’t govern. Systems do.” - a must read from the @thecontinent.org
Feminist or figurehead?
Of 54 countries in Africa, just two are led by women. Is it reasonable to expect them to champion feminist reforms?
open.substack.com
July 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🤷🏽‍♀️
How many times can you get fired?
July 1, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
“(...) the Cantonese service of Radio Free Asia became one of the news outlets that Hongkongers relied on.”
But in March, Trump signed an executive order to defund the outlet’s parent agency, the USAGM, which also funds news organisations such as Voice of America, writes the @hongkongfp.com
Radio Free Asia halts Cantonese service in face of Trump's funding cuts
Radio Free Asia has halted its Cantonese-language service after 27 years due to funding cuts by US President Donald Trump's administration.
hongkongfp.com
June 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
🗓️ June 20: More than 600 VOA staffers received a RIF notification, informing they would be separated from their jobs efective on September 1st.
🗓️ June 27: The agency rescinded the RIF notice.
#whiplash
June 27, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Reps. Greg Stanton (D-Arizona), Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington), and Gabe Amo (D-Rhode Island) said Lake lacks qualifications to lead a news organization (…) Amo called Lake a “nightmare for the free press” but a friend to America’s adversaries.
In her first appearance before Congress, Kari Lake defended the Trump administration's dismantling of Voice of America and its sister networks while Democrats railed against her for weakening America’s soft power abroad. www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/...
At committee hearing, Kari Lake defends dismantling VOA
Trump’s senior adviser to USAGM said that she’s rooting out waste and abuse. Democrats railed against her for weakening America’s soft power abroad.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Debunking Kari Lake's 𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
Check the difference between firewall and journalistic ethics, and much more 👉 bit.ly/DebunkingLake
#SaveVOA
June 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Debunking Kari Lake's 𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
We know it's not easy to keep track.
Here's a full fact check on Lake 👉 bit.ly/DebunkingLake
#SaveVOA
June 25, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Debunking Kari Lake's 𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
Get the facts straight and pass it on 👉 bit.ly/DebunkingLake
#SaveVOA
June 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Debunking Kari Lake's 𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
For more check 👇 bit.ly/DebunkingLake
#SaveVOA
June 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Debunking Kari Lake's 𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
We kept track of her claims, and again NOT TRUE
For more check 👇 bit.ly/DebunkingLake
#SaveVOA
June 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Debunking Kari Lake's 𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
For more facts and NO lies check 👉 bit.ly/DebunkingLake
#SaveVOA
June 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Check the facts! #SaveVOA
Today, senior advisor for USAGM Kari Lake testifies before Congress.
🔍 We know you care about the truth - this is a fact check of Ms. Lake's lies and misinformation.
👇 👇 👇
Lake’s unsubstantiated attack on Voice of America
Read an annotated fact check of Kari Lake's prepared remarks to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
savevoa.com
June 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
“As a former commander of U.S. Special Operations and Central Command, I saw firsthand how VOA supported our missions and upheld the values of freedom and democracy. We can’t afford to lose this vital tool.” - Ret. General Joseph Votel, Former Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
#SaveVOA
VOA Is a National Security Asset, Not Just a News Outlet
YouTube video by SaveVOA
www.youtube.com
June 25, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
Gov lawyer Brenda Gonzalez Horowitz said they’ve been following the judge’s April 22 order “in good faith” and are serious about keeping him updated.
Judge Lamberth wasn’t havin’ it: “I don’t think so,” he clapped back 😏
He gave the administration until Friday to file a written update!
‪@apnews.com‬
Judge seeks more information about Trump administration's cuts to Voice of America
A federal judge who blocked the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America is seeking more information from the government about whether it is complying with his order preserving the 83-year-old international news service.
apnews.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
As per journalist @scottnover.bsky.social, “Judge Lamberth did not rule from the bench, but was particularly fiery today, chastising the government for failing to keep him informed and heavily implying he will order some relief in favor of VOA, pending additional filings this week from the parties.”
June 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Another very sad day for journalism
#savevoa
Today (6/20), many full-time employees from across VOA and USAGM received Reduction in Force (RIF) notices, terminating their employment. Most of them had been on adminstrative leave since mid-March, after President Trump ordered that the agency be dismantled. Here is our statement.
June 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Mayra de Lassalette
On Tuesday (6/8), VOA Director Mike Abramowitz was inducted into the @spjdc.bsky.social‬ Journalism Hall of Fame!
In his speech, he addressed the administration efforts to dismantle the 83-year old VOA and what press freedom means to the world.
#SaveVOA #VOAMatters
June 12, 2025 at 6:01 PM
There have been so many asks lately. Everyone is dealing with some sort of grave situation, I know.
But maybe you’re looking for a gift with meaning (father’s day is coming), or you’re thinking about another good cause to add to your list. Whatever the reason, your help is greatly appreciated 🙏
Please support our VOA colleagues who’ve lost jobs, healthcare, and immigration protections. Proceeds help fund legal aid, medical bills, and emergency relief through the USAGM Employee Association.
Buy a t-shirt, a tote or a hat and help us #SaveVOA!
SaveVOA Merchandise Custom Ink Fundraising
17 years, over 100 million custom t-shirts, 99% happy customers! Custom Ink is the t-shirt printing expert for your team, school, company, or any occasion.
www.customink.com
June 11, 2025 at 8:54 PM
On June 5th, VOA journalists began receiving termination emails after Kari Lake sent notice to Congress outlining a Reduction in Force plan that would terminate around 800 employees. At the end of May, about 500 contractor colleagues were fired.
USAGM plans to reduce VOA to only 17 broadcasters
latest situation update on VOA
YouTube video by SaveVOA
youtube.com
June 11, 2025 at 12:32 AM