US Agency for Global Media Will Not Extend Visas For Its Foreign Journalists

Dozens of foreign nationals working as journalists in the US for Voice of America, the federal government's international broadcaster, will not have their visas extended once they expire. Michael Pack, the new CEO of the US Agency for Global Media, signaled he will not approve the visa extensions. The foreign journalists are particularly valued for their language skills, which are crucial to VOA's mission as an international broadcaster. One VOA journalist said some of the foreign journalists forced to return home would likely face repercussions from regimes hostile to the US. Pack also ordered the dismissal of former Radio Free Asia chief Bay Fang, whom Pack had previously demoted.