PoliticoJournalists sue US broadcasting arm for wrongful dismissal under Trump
- Foreign journalists allege the US Agency for Global Media fired them on vague and false accusations of disloyalty to America
- The complaints note that Michael Pack, who was CEO at the time, expressed distrust of foreign journalists
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Daniel Lippman on politico.com on October 4, 2021.
Seven foreign journalists working for the US Agency for Global Media who were fired by the Trump administration have sued the agency for breach of contract and wrongful termination.
The journalists argue in their complaints that their careers and livelihoods have been significantly hurt by being fired and are seeking back pay. Most also claim that USAGM deceitfully backdated termination documents to make it appear that the agency was following the proper procedures for how to hasten their departure. Three of the seven who have filed suit, Valdya Baraputri of Indonesia and Paula Alves Silva and Julia Riera of Spain, were forced to leave the country.
The complaints note that Michael Pack, a conservative filmmaker who was installed as CEO of government-run media group USAGM in June 2020, expressed his distrust of foreign journalists working for the various broadcast entities under the USAGM umbrella and refused to renew more than 30 of their visas, causing them to lose their jobs. In an August 2020 interview with The Federalist, cited in the complaint, Pack said that being “a journalist is a great cover for a spy” and said that J-1 visa holders might try to “penetrate” USAGM.