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the agency, Pack waged ideological warfare on his own agency, targeting his executives and staffers with investigations. U.S. Agency for Global Media hide caption
Former CEO of U.S. Agency for Global Media Michael Pack was appointed by President Trump. During his time with the agency, Pack waged ideological warfare on his own agency, targeting his executives and staffers with investigations.
U.S. Agency for Global MediaIn its very first broadcast, the U.S.-government-run service called Voice of America pledged honesty.
"The news may be good and it may be bad. We shall tell you the truth."
The idea was to model a free press, especially for audiences in places that might not have one. Places where political parties and governments might pressure or intimidate journalists.
But over the past seven months, Voice of America and its federal parent organization, U.S. Agency for Global Media, have been caught in an ideological war. Employees say agency CEO Michael Pack, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, obsessed over staff loyalty and embraced conspiracy theories.
NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik talked to more than 60 current and former staffers. He's put together a comprehensive picture of Pack's radical tenure.
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This episode was produced by Connor Donevan and Brianna Scott. It was edited by Lee Hale with help from Emily Kopp and Wynne Davis. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.
