National Press Club

Press Freedom Center Hosts News Conference on Voice of America Lawsuit

PRESS RELEASE

April 01, 2025

WASHINGTON, April 1 – The Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club today hosted a news conference on the state of the recent Voice of America (VOA) lawsuit designed to roll back the Administration’s recent actions to shutdown VOA, Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia. On Friday, March 26 a temporary restraining order was established for the case. The lawsuit was filed on March 23.

David Seide - senior counsel for the Government Accountability Project, senior counsel and lead counsel for the lawsuit - spoke alongside lead plaintiff Patsy Widakuswara, the VOA White House bureau chief. Also present were plaintiffs Jessica Jerreat, the VOA press freedom editor, and Kate Neeper, the USAGM director of strategy and performance assessment. Additional speakers included Steve Herman, VOA chief national correspondent, speaking on behalf of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), and Andrew G. Celli Jr., counsel for the plaintiffs.

VOA lawsuit press conference panel

Statements from counsel and the plaintiffs focused on the value of VOA’s service to the world. A 90-second video shown at the beginning of the conference featured VOA affiliates for broadcasts reaching places like Tibet, Indonesia and Zimbabwe; and emphasized the importance of VOA’s ability to reach eyes and ears around the world. Counsel and plaintiffs stressed that, although the TRO decision was a temporary victory, their fight is far from over.

Dozens packed the room, including reporters from outlets like Politico and other VOA journalists, who came to express their support for their colleagues and speak up about their own experiences. Other relevant labor unions were also present, such as the NewsGuild Communication Workers of America (CWA), the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

While the TRO prevents the Trump Administration from currently moving forward with efforts to disassemble VOA, a path towards reopening the media organization and reinstating employees is still unresolved.

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-725-7787 or [email protected] for the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club

Photos

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Bill McCarren, director of the Press Freedom Center at National Press Club welcomes participants and introduces the panel.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok David Seide, senior counsel at the Government Accountability Project, gives an overview of the lawsuit.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok The panel that described various aspects of the suit, L-R: David Seide, senior counsel at the Government Accountability Project; Patsy Widakuswara, VOA White House bureau chief and lead plaintiff; Jessica Jerreat, VOA press freedom editor and a named plaintiff; Kate Neeper, director of strategy and performance assessment and a named plaintiff; Steve Herman, VOA chief national correspondent and NPC board member; Andrew Celli, partner at ECBAWM law firm taking part in the suit.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Patsy Widakuswara, VOA White House bureau chief and lead plaintiff.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Jessica Jerreat, VOA press freedom editor and a named plaintiff.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Kate Neeper, director of strategy and performance assessment and a named plaintiff.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Steve Herman, VOA chief national correspondent, also representing American Foreign Service Association, a participant in the suit.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Andrew Celli, founding partner at the ECBAWM law firm taking part in the suit.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok A reporter from Czech radio in the audience asks a question.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok A VOA staff member in the audience asks a question.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok A VOA staff member in the audience gives an anguished statement.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok A VOA staff member in the audience makes a statement.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok A VOA staff member in the audience makes a statement.