Tsion Girma Tadesse
@tsiongirmat.bsky.social
Multimedia Journalist | International Broadcaster | Amharic Team Lead & Editor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). All views expressed are my own. Reposts, likes, and shared links do not imply endorsement.
The SaveVOA X account is back! Yesterday, X suspended @savevoanow which was restored today after the social media team appealed.
May 6, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The SaveVOA X account is back! Yesterday, X suspended @savevoanow which was restored today after the social media team appealed.
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
Our attorneys in Widakuswara (VOA) v Lake (USAGM) are asking that all 11 judges on the DC federal court of appeals conduct an en banc review after 2 of 3 judges of the circuit court blocked a ruling that had ordered the Trump administration to call back our staff and resume broadcasts.
May 5, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Our attorneys in Widakuswara (VOA) v Lake (USAGM) are asking that all 11 judges on the DC federal court of appeals conduct an en banc review after 2 of 3 judges of the circuit court blocked a ruling that had ordered the Trump administration to call back our staff and resume broadcasts.
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
BREAKING: we are going for en banc review in the Voice of America case
The Constitution demands no less
The Constitution demands no less
May 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
BREAKING: we are going for en banc review in the Voice of America case
The Constitution demands no less
The Constitution demands no less
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
Four Radio Free Asia contributors are currently detained in Vietnam. In Russia and Myanmar, Voice of America journalists are behind bars. For these reporters, the shutdown isn’t a bureaucratic decision—it’s a life-threatening blow.
Beyond the Reefs: the future of journalism with Reporters Without Borders
In March 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media—an institution that oversaw Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and other vital outlets delivering independent news across some of the world’s most repressive regimes.
en.rti.org.tw
May 5, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Four Radio Free Asia contributors are currently detained in Vietnam. In Russia and Myanmar, Voice of America journalists are behind bars. For these reporters, the shutdown isn’t a bureaucratic decision—it’s a life-threatening blow.
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
On @theguardian.com : “I never in a million years thought I would have to fight for freedom of the press in the United States of America. And yet here we are,” says Patsy Widakuswara, VOA's White House bureau chief.
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom
‘Fight back’: journalist taking Trump administration to court calls for media to resist attacks
Patsy Widakuswara, lead plaintiff in lawsuit fighting order to dismantle Voice of America, says US government is becoming more aggressive
www.theguardian.com
May 5, 2025 at 12:40 PM
On @theguardian.com : “I never in a million years thought I would have to fight for freedom of the press in the United States of America. And yet here we are,” says Patsy Widakuswara, VOA's White House bureau chief.
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
On Saturday afternoon (5/3), the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the appellate court) granted the motion from USAGM/the government for a stay pending appeals.
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May 5, 2025 at 12:09 PM
On Saturday afternoon (5/3), the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the appellate court) granted the motion from USAGM/the government for a stay pending appeals.
🧵
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Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
On Press Freedom Day (5/3), we thanked our allies and supporters who have been working tirelessly in their efforts to #SaveVOA and defend press freedom.
This is our thankful thread 🧵
@govacctproj.bsky.social
Government Accountability Project
Emery Celli Abady Brinckerhoff Ward & Maazel, LLP
This is our thankful thread 🧵
@govacctproj.bsky.social
Government Accountability Project
Emery Celli Abady Brinckerhoff Ward & Maazel, LLP
May 4, 2025 at 11:48 PM
On Press Freedom Day (5/3), we thanked our allies and supporters who have been working tirelessly in their efforts to #SaveVOA and defend press freedom.
This is our thankful thread 🧵
@govacctproj.bsky.social
Government Accountability Project
Emery Celli Abady Brinckerhoff Ward & Maazel, LLP
This is our thankful thread 🧵
@govacctproj.bsky.social
Government Accountability Project
Emery Celli Abady Brinckerhoff Ward & Maazel, LLP
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
This is not just about saving the jobs of journalists. VOA’s broadcasts play an important role in protecting US and global security. Already adversaries are filling the void as VOA is silenced.
#SaveVOA #VOAMatters #StandWithJournalists
#SaveVOA #VOAMatters #StandWithJournalists
May 4, 2025 at 9:07 PM
This is not just about saving the jobs of journalists. VOA’s broadcasts play an important role in protecting US and global security. Already adversaries are filling the void as VOA is silenced.
#SaveVOA #VOAMatters #StandWithJournalists
#SaveVOA #VOAMatters #StandWithJournalists
White House Offers Money to Migrants Who Deport Themselves
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05...
Trump Live Updates: Latest on Deportations, Economic Policies, Foreign Movie Tariffs and More
www.nytimes.com
May 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
White House Offers Money to Migrants Who Deport Themselves
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05...
Sudanese eating charcoal and leaves to survive, aid agency warns
Sudanese people are eating leaves and charcoal to survive after fleeing an attack on a camp for displaced people near the city of el-Fasher, an aid agency has told the BBC.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Sudanese people are eating leaves and charcoal to survive after fleeing an attack on a camp for displaced people near the city of el-Fasher, an aid agency has told the BBC.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Sudan war: People eating charcoal and leaves to survive, aid agency warns
People are trekking under "blistering" heat to escape "horrific circumstances", the BBC is told.
www.bbc.com
April 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Sudanese eating charcoal and leaves to survive, aid agency warns
Sudanese people are eating leaves and charcoal to survive after fleeing an attack on a camp for displaced people near the city of el-Fasher, an aid agency has told the BBC.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Sudanese people are eating leaves and charcoal to survive after fleeing an attack on a camp for displaced people near the city of el-Fasher, an aid agency has told the BBC.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Govt has officially filed an appeal.
April 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Govt has officially filed an appeal.
Judge Lamberth said the administration acted "without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world".
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Judge halts Trump's shutdown of Voice of America
Over 1,300 VOA employess - including about 1,000 journalists - were put on leave following President Donald Trump's executive order.
www.bbc.com
April 23, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Judge Lamberth said the administration acted "without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world".
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Victory for Press Freedom:
In this video, lead plaintiff and VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reacts to the decision — a significant step forward in the fight to protect independent journalism.
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom #VOA
In this video, lead plaintiff and VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reacts to the decision — a significant step forward in the fight to protect independent journalism.
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom #VOA
April 23, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Victory for Press Freedom:
In this video, lead plaintiff and VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reacts to the decision — a significant step forward in the fight to protect independent journalism.
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom #VOA
In this video, lead plaintiff and VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reacts to the decision — a significant step forward in the fight to protect independent journalism.
#SaveVOA #PressFreedom #VOA
VOA just won two Webby Awards — Judges’ + People’s Voice — for our “History of AI” explainer in the Tech category.
#WebbyWinner #VOA #AIExplainer #PublicMedia
#WebbyWinner #VOA #AIExplainer #PublicMedia
April 22, 2025 at 12:02 PM
VOA just won two Webby Awards — Judges’ + People’s Voice — for our “History of AI” explainer in the Tech category.
#WebbyWinner #VOA #AIExplainer #PublicMedia
#WebbyWinner #VOA #AIExplainer #PublicMedia
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
𝗛𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝟯𝟱 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗢𝗔, 𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝟮𝟬. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵
VOA's reporter Lisa Vohra shares an emotional moment when she tells her father who's suffering from dementia that all VOA staff has been put on administrative leave, and its broadcast has gone silence.
#SaveVOA
Check 🫱 bit.ly/SaveVOA
VOA's reporter Lisa Vohra shares an emotional moment when she tells her father who's suffering from dementia that all VOA staff has been put on administrative leave, and its broadcast has gone silence.
#SaveVOA
Check 🫱 bit.ly/SaveVOA
April 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
𝗛𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝟯𝟱 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗢𝗔, 𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝟮𝟬. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵
VOA's reporter Lisa Vohra shares an emotional moment when she tells her father who's suffering from dementia that all VOA staff has been put on administrative leave, and its broadcast has gone silence.
#SaveVOA
Check 🫱 bit.ly/SaveVOA
VOA's reporter Lisa Vohra shares an emotional moment when she tells her father who's suffering from dementia that all VOA staff has been put on administrative leave, and its broadcast has gone silence.
#SaveVOA
Check 🫱 bit.ly/SaveVOA
White House proposes drastic cuts to State Department and funding for UN, NATO and other groups
White House proposes drastic cuts to State Department and funding for UN, NATO and other groups
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has proposed gutting the State Department’s budget by almost 50%, closing a number of overseas diplomatic missions, and eliminating funding for nearly...
apnews.com
April 14, 2025 at 10:13 PM
White House proposes drastic cuts to State Department and funding for UN, NATO and other groups
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
April 9, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
A breakdown of how VOA is a powerful and incredibly cost-effective force for truth. Your tax dollars support unbiased, fact-based journalism, reaching 360 million globally.
#SaveVOA
2/3🧵
#SaveVOA
2/3🧵
April 9, 2025 at 8:58 PM
A breakdown of how VOA is a powerful and incredibly cost-effective force for truth. Your tax dollars support unbiased, fact-based journalism, reaching 360 million globally.
#SaveVOA
2/3🧵
#SaveVOA
2/3🧵
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
By telling American stories and perspectives, VOA is a crucial soft-power tool for U.S. strategic diplomacy and national interest.
Call your members of Congress. Keep VOA alive.
#SaveVOA
3/3🧵
Call your members of Congress. Keep VOA alive.
#SaveVOA
3/3🧵
April 9, 2025 at 8:58 PM
By telling American stories and perspectives, VOA is a crucial soft-power tool for U.S. strategic diplomacy and national interest.
Call your members of Congress. Keep VOA alive.
#SaveVOA
3/3🧵
Call your members of Congress. Keep VOA alive.
#SaveVOA
3/3🧵
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
In a powerful message, Kim Aris, the son of Aung San Suu Kyi, calls for VOA to be restored. He emphasizes VOA's and Radio Free Asia (RFA) crucial role in supporting press freedom and democracy. He urges people to contact their lawmakers to help ensure VOA and RFA continue their vital work.
#SaveVOA
#SaveVOA
April 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
In a powerful message, Kim Aris, the son of Aung San Suu Kyi, calls for VOA to be restored. He emphasizes VOA's and Radio Free Asia (RFA) crucial role in supporting press freedom and democracy. He urges people to contact their lawmakers to help ensure VOA and RFA continue their vital work.
#SaveVOA
#SaveVOA
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
The Voice of America has been on the frontlines of reporting the world’s biggest news stories.
But this time VOA became the headline itself.
The impact this caused has been felt around the world.
We appreciate all the support you’ve already shown us.
#savevoa
But this time VOA became the headline itself.
The impact this caused has been felt around the world.
We appreciate all the support you’ve already shown us.
#savevoa
April 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The Voice of America has been on the frontlines of reporting the world’s biggest news stories.
But this time VOA became the headline itself.
The impact this caused has been felt around the world.
We appreciate all the support you’ve already shown us.
#savevoa
But this time VOA became the headline itself.
The impact this caused has been felt around the world.
We appreciate all the support you’ve already shown us.
#savevoa
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
Please keep showing your support by clicking bit.ly/SaveVOA
April 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Please keep showing your support by clicking bit.ly/SaveVOA
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
To dismantle VOA and RFE/RL would also silence hundreds of reporters who have spent years or decades serving overlooked parts of the world and who are often the only ones covering topics like human rights, corruption, and war crimes — sometimes at great personal peril.
#savevoa
#savevoa
What’s Lost if Voice of America Disappears: Watchdog Spirit, Intrepid Reporters, and Focus on the Global South
To dismantle VOA and other US-funded affiliates would be to silence decades of coverage in overlooked parts of the world on topics like human rights, corruption, and war crimes.
gijn.org
April 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
To dismantle VOA and RFE/RL would also silence hundreds of reporters who have spent years or decades serving overlooked parts of the world and who are often the only ones covering topics like human rights, corruption, and war crimes — sometimes at great personal peril.
#savevoa
#savevoa
Reposted by Tsion Girma Tadesse
During World War II, the Voice of America was created to broadcast messages of freedom and democracy to a global audience. It was an anti-propaganda tool used to fight disinformation from the Axis powers.
Now the Trump administration is trying to gut it, putting the entire staff on leave.
#savevoa
Now the Trump administration is trying to gut it, putting the entire staff on leave.
#savevoa
LA Times Today: Under Trump, the Voice of America has fallen silent. U.S. enemies are cheering
Watch L.A.
www.latimes.com
April 5, 2025 at 12:05 AM
During World War II, the Voice of America was created to broadcast messages of freedom and democracy to a global audience. It was an anti-propaganda tool used to fight disinformation from the Axis powers.
Now the Trump administration is trying to gut it, putting the entire staff on leave.
#savevoa
Now the Trump administration is trying to gut it, putting the entire staff on leave.
#savevoa