*A United States Federal Judge blocks President Donald Trump’s administration from shutting down the agency overseeing Voice of America

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

A Federal Judge recently blocked United States (US) President Donald Trump’s administration from shutting down the agency overseeing Voice of America (VOA).

The Judge argued that the dismantling of the transnational media organisation would expose its journalists to retribution in their home countries, among other risks.

Judge J. Paul Oetken of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York also cited evidence submitted by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), in an amicus brief, indicated that at least nine journalists and media workers who worked for or contributed to VOA, or its regional outlets have been killed in connection with their work since 2003, while nine others have been imprisoned.

The Committee also said Oetken wrote: 鈥淧laintiffs鈥� fear of retribution from their home countries appears far from fanciful.”

The amicus brief was submitted in collaboration with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP).

CPJ and RCFP also jointly submitted a brief in defense of The Associated Press’s access to the White House and other briefs against the shuttering of RFE/RL and VOA, report noted.

CPJ as well signed a letter urging US Congress to take an immediate action to protect journalists affiliated with these outlets from the risk of deportation from the American country.