No institution is without flaws, but VOA is far from the broken entity Lake portrays. It is a cost-effective, well-functioning multimedia organization that has consistently delivered high-quality journalism in support of U.S. democratic values and foreign policy objectives. Lake’s testimony conflates institutional responsibilities: issues such as personnel security and visa processing fall under the jurisdiction of USAGM, not VOA. Misattributing these systemic management challenges to VOA misdirects accountability and distorts the root causes of any administrative shortcomings. Moreover, the claim that VOA was “anti-Trump” is a blatant mischaracterization.

A media outlet producing content in 48 languages across all platforms is bound to make occasional mistakes. The content-related incidents Lake cites were isolated and regrettable, but they were addressed swiftly and transparently. These were not signs of institutional political bias, but rather hallmarks of a news organization committed to self-correction and continuous improvement.

There’s no question that U.S. international broadcasting needs reform. But those reforms must be thoughtful, deliberate, and grounded in bipartisan consensus. While those efforts advance, Congress should act urgently to preserve and restore VOA’s current core operations.

To ensure reforms are both effective and nonpartisan, a bipartisan commission composed of experienced media and foreign policy professionals should be convened to assess the future of U.S. international broadcasting. But reform must never come at the expense of VOA’s journalistic independence. The firewall protecting VOA’s editorial integrity is not a bureaucratic technicality; it is the bedrock of the organization’s global credibility and trust. Any modernization must reinforce that firewall while investing in cutting-edge technology, a highly skilled workforce, and distribution strategies that meet audiences where they are.

At its best, the Voice of America reflects the nation’s highest values: truth over propaganda, transparency over spin, and the unwavering belief that facts, freely reported, still matter.