US judge orders halt to Trump's effort to shut Voice of America

NEW YORK: A federal judge Friday temporarily halted the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle Voice of America, the government-funded international broadcaster whose prospective demise has alarmed advocates for press freedom.

- MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

The judge, Paul Oetken of US District Court in Manhattan, ruled after a hearing on a lawsuit filed by Voice of America journalists and their unions. The suit argues that the administration's actions, like ousting hundreds of journalists at the organisation on paid leave, violated the journalists' First Amendment rights.

Andrew G. Celli Jr, a lawyer for the journalists who brought the suit, said the judge had made clear during the hearing that he would issue a temporary restraining order.

"This is a decisive victory for press freedom and the First Amendment, and a sharp rebuke to an administration that has shown utter disregard for the principles that define our democracy," Mr Celli said in a statement.