The Ukrainian service of Voice of America is beginning a phased resumption of work. Some employees who were on administrative leave have received notices of their return to duty, and Ukrainian-language broadcasting is planned to be resumed in the near future.
This was reported by the head of the Ukrainian edition of Voice of America, Ruslan Petrichka.
Ruslan Petrichka called the decision of the Voice of America management an important step, especially in conditions when Russia continues massive shelling of Ukrainian cities and conducts large-scale propaganda and disinformation campaigns.
“I am glad to learn about the decision of the Voice of America management to resume broadcasting in Ukrainian and return some employees of the Ukrainian edition to work.
This is a very important decision! Especially now, when Russia cynically shells Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities every day, kills civilians and continues large-scale propaganda and disinformation campaigns against Ukraine.
The restoration of the Ukrainian service confirms the strategic importance of Ukrainian-language broadcasting for the fulfillment of the mission of the Voice of America and the interests of the United States. And this is good for Ukraine,” Ruslan Petrichka noted.
According to him, some colleagues are already preparing to resume broadcasting next week. He also expressed hope that more editorial staff will return to work in the near future.
At the same time, Ruslan Petrichka reported that he formally remains the head of the Ukrainian editorial office, but he himself is still on administrative leave, so he cannot comment on the details of the restoration process.
Myroslava Gongadze, the former head of the Ukrainian editorial office of the Voice of America (2015-2021) and head of the broadcaster’s bureau in Eastern Europe (2021-2025), emphasized, that at present we are only talking about the beginning of the restoration of work, and not about the full return of the editorial office.
According to her, during the Senate hearings, the nominee for the position of Director General of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) Sarah Rogers declared her intention to act in accordance with the law and resume the work of American international broadcasting. After that, some employees of the Voice of America, who were on administrative leave, received a notification about their return to work from August 4.
In a comment to the Ukrainian media, she stated, that it is not yet clear whether this is a gradual return of the entire editorial staff or the resumption of work in a much smaller number. According to the journalist, the return of some employees is a positive signal that indicates the awareness of the need to maintain the international information presence of the United States.
At the same time, she emphasized that the main test will be the preservation of editorial independence. She added that the Ukrainian audience does not need propaganda, but professional and independent coverage of American politics, including the activities of the White House, Congress, the positions of Republicans and Democrats, as well as discussions on support for Ukraine.
Photo: Petrychky's public
Author: Inna Mikhno