US judge Royce Lamberth orders more than 1,000 Voice of America employees reinstated
Creates a legal obligation for the US Agency for Global Media to reinstate over 1,000 Voice of America employees, return them to work by 23 March, and produce a plan to restore Voice of America broadcasting.
Change
US judge Royce Lamberth ordered that more than 1,000 Voice of America employees be reinstated and return to work by 23 March 2026, and directed the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to produce a plan to restore Voice of America broadcasting.
Why it matters
The ruling prevents the agency from continuing dismantling steps and requires reversal of recent shutdown decisions on a court-enforced timetable. Operational, contracting and scheduling choices made to wind down international broadcasts must now be undone under judicial supervision, compressing recovery actions into days rather than weeks.
Implications
- — US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) leadership must produce and begin implementing a written operational plan to restore Voice of America broadcasting — failure to present or implement a court-acceptable plan will leave the agency noncompliant with the judge's order.
- — Voice of America human resources teams must process reinstatement paperwork, restore benefits and resume payroll for returned staff by 23 March 2026 — failing to meet the court deadline will breach the reinstatement order.
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