USAGM Watch Commentary

National Public Radio (NPR) reported on October 4, 2020 that two political appointees at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) compiled and presented to acting Voice of America (VOA) director Elez Biberaj “an extensive report deemed ‘confidential’ on VOA White House bureau chief Steve Herman, claiming that in his reporting and tweets that Herman had been unfair to Trump and had broken the broadcaster’s standards and social media policies. “

Political Aides Investigate VOA White House Reporter For Anti-Trump Bias

An investigation by political appointees into the Voice of America’s White House bureau chief for anti-Trump bias is the latest act that may break federal laws promising its journalistic independence.

There has been no response yet from Elez Biberaj.

BBG – USAGM Watch reported that in 2017 Steve Herman had imposed his own a ban on our website and our reporters who followed his Twitter account after BBG – USAGM Watch criticized him for tweeting unconfirmed news claims, some of which turned out to be false. BBG – USAGM Watch urged him to obey the two-source rule and to follow the VOA Charter which says that VOA News must be accurate, balanced and comprehensive. Herman was forced to lift the ban after BBG – USAGM Watch complained to the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), as the U.S. Agency for Global Media which oversees VOA was then called, that such an action initiated by a U.S. federal government employee amounted to interference with a free media. 

The VOA Public Relation Office responded to BBG – USAGM Watch complaint in an e-mail on December 27, 2017:

VOICE OF AMERICA PUBLIC RELATIONS: VOA was not aware that anyone had been blocked from any personal social media accounts. After you brought the issue to VOA management’s attention, it was discussed with the reporter who has since lifted the blocks from his account.

The decision to force Steve Herman to unblock American journalists was made by the previous agency management appointed during the Obama administration. The VOA director at that time was Amanda Bennett who resigned in June just before Michael Pack took over as USAGM CEO. Today Bennett tweeted praise for Steve Herman.

Steve Herman @w7voa has stood out over the past four years for his professional, disciplined and informative reports through social media and @VOANews reports. He’s a true professional. One of the best.

READ MORE

Secret Facebook Pages and Twitter Blockers at USAGM – Part I, BBG – USAGM Watch Commentary, July 21, 2019.

Voice of America White House Bureau Chief Steve Herman in Dispute with Vice President Mike Pence’s Staff Previously Banned U.S. Reporters from His VOA Twitter Account, BBG – USAGM Commentary, May 1, 2020.