Voice of America Global English

An English-language international broadcasting service operated by Voice of America, the largest and oldest of the United States government's international broadcasters. Founded in 1942 during World War II as a counter-propaganda tool against Axis misinformation, VOA expanded over subsequent decades to encompass cultural diplomacy and independent news delivery across dozens of languages. The Global English service targets non-American audiences worldwide, with a particular emphasis on reaching populations in countries lacking free press or independent journalism. VOA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), funded through annual Congressional appropriations alongside other international broadcasters including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. During the Cold War, VOA's reach expanded considerably as part of efforts to counter communist influence, with the broadcaster regularly airing programming behind the Iron Curtain. In 2017, Russia designated VOA a foreign agent and subsequently blocked it in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, though its programming remains accessible via VPNs. As of 2022, VOA maintained a weekly worldwide audience of approximately 326 million, up from 237 million in 2016, with a staff of 961 and an annual operating budget of $267.5 million. The Global English service covers international news, politics, science, and cultural affairs, drawing on VOA's network of correspondents reporting across multiple regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.