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In December 2017, under a new directive from Russia's [[Kremlin]] after a new law was passed by the [[State Duma]] (Russia's lower house of parliament) and the upper house [[Federation Council]] and signed by Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]], Voice of America was deemed a "foreign agent" under the [[Russian foreign agent law]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-labels-voice-of-america-and-radio-free-europe-as-foreign-agents/a-41651707|title=Russia labels VOA and RFE as 'foreign agents' – DW – 12/06/2017|website=dw.com}}</ref><ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/05/568502826/russia-slaps-restrictions-on-voice-of-america-and-radio-free-europe "Russia Slaps Restrictions On 'Voice Of America' And 'Radio Free Europe'"]</ref> In June 2021, the Russian news agency [[TASS]] reported that Russia's state communications watchdog ''[[Roskomnadzor]]'' complained that the foreign agent Voice of America radio station challengingly refused to observe Russian law because it had not established a Russian legal entity.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/society/1301669|title=Voice of America, Radio Liberty ignore Russian laws — watchdog|website=TASS}}</ref> ''Roskomnadzor'' also said that VOA was as a foreign agent "obliged to mark their content and provide information about all aspects of their activity, including a detailed description of contacts with the authorities."<ref name="auto2"/>
In December 2017, under a new directive from Russia's [[Kremlin]] after a new law was passed by the [[State Duma]] (Russia's lower house of parliament) and the upper house [[Federation Council]] and signed by Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]], Voice of America was deemed a "foreign agent" under the [[Russian foreign agent law]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-labels-voice-of-america-and-radio-free-europe-as-foreign-agents/a-41651707|title=Russia labels VOA and RFE as 'foreign agents' – DW – 12/06/2017|website=dw.com}}</ref><ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/05/568502826/russia-slaps-restrictions-on-voice-of-america-and-radio-free-europe "Russia Slaps Restrictions On 'Voice Of America' And 'Radio Free Europe'"]</ref> In June 2021, the Russian news agency [[TASS]] reported that Russia's state communications watchdog ''[[Roskomnadzor]]'' complained that the foreign agent Voice of America radio station challengingly refused to observe Russian law because it had not established a Russian legal entity.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/society/1301669|title=Voice of America, Radio Liberty ignore Russian laws — watchdog|website=TASS}}</ref> ''Roskomnadzor'' also said that VOA was as a foreign agent "obliged to mark their content and provide information about all aspects of their activity, including a detailed description of contacts with the authorities."<ref name="auto2"/>


In March 2022, VOA and other news broadcasters, including the [[BBC]], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]], and [[Deutsche Welle]] were blocked in Russia,<ref name="Reuters March 2022">{{cite news |title=Russia blocks access to BBC and Voice of America websites |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/russia-restricts-access-bbc-russian-service-radio-liberty-ria-2022-03-04/ |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=March 4, 2022}}</ref> as after the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022, Russian authorities increased censorship of independent journalism, anti-war protests, and dissenting voices.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Troianovski |first1=Anton |last2=Safronova |first2=Valeriya |title=Russia Takes Censorship to New Extremes, Stifling War Coverage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/04/world/europe/russia-censorship-media-crackdown.html |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=4 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/russia-kremlins-ruthless-crackdown-stifles-independent-journalism-and-anti-war-movement/|title=Russia: Kremlin's ruthless crackdown stifles independent journalism and anti-war movement|date=March 10, 2022|website=Amnesty International}}</ref><ref name="NYT Mar 7 2022">{{cite news |last1=Satariano |first1=Adam |last2=Hopkins |first2=Valerie |title=Russia, Blocked From the Global Internet, Plunges Into Digital Isolation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/technology/russia-ukraine-internet-isolation.html |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=7 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/597411-grassroots-effort-uses-shortwave-radio-to-broadcast-voa-in-ukraine-russia/|title=Grassroots effort uses shortwave radio to broadcast VOA in Ukraine, Russia|first=Rebecca|last=Klar|date=March 8, 2022}}</ref> Nevertheless, many Russians have used [[VPN]]s and other software to get around Russian government blocks.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGil |first1=Margaret Harding |title=How Russians are evading the internet blockade |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/03/09/vpns-evading-russias-internet-blockade |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=March 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://information-professionals.org/radio-to-russia-can-old-technologies-make-a-dent-in-putins-information-blockade/|title=Radio to Russia: Can Old Technologies Make a Dent in Putin's Information Blockade?|first=John|last=Bicknell|date=June 21, 2022|website=Information Professionals Association}}</ref> As of March 2022, VOA broadcasts were reaching people in Russia and the region through TV, FM and medium wave radio, digital, and direct-to-home satellite.<ref name="auto"/> In May 2023, Russia banned acting VOA chief Yolanda Lopez from ever entering the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/russia-bans-jimmy-kimmel-stephen-colbert-seth-meyers-rachel-maddow-1235496448/|title=Russia Bans Late Night Hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers From Entering the Country|first=Alex|last=Weprin|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 19, 2023}}</ref>
In March 2022, VOA and other news broadcasters, including the [[BBC]], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]], and [[Deutsche Welle]] were blocked in Russia,<ref name="Reuters March 2022">{{cite news |title=Russia blocks access to BBC and Voice of America websites |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/russia-restricts-access-bbc-russian-service-radio-liberty-ria-2022-03-04/ |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=March 4, 2022}}</ref> as after the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022, Russian authorities increased censorship of independent journalism, anti-war protests, and dissenting voices.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Troianovski |first1=Anton |last2=Safronova |first2=Valeriya |title=Russia Takes Censorship to New Extremes, Stifling War Coverage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/04/world/europe/russia-censorship-media-crackdown.html |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=4 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/russia-kremlins-ruthless-crackdown-stifles-independent-journalism-and-anti-war-movement/|title=Russia: Kremlin's ruthless crackdown stifles independent journalism and anti-war movement|date=March 10, 2022|website=Amnesty International}}</ref><ref name="NYT Mar 7 2022">{{cite news |last1=Satariano |first1=Adam |last2=Hopkins |first2=Valerie |title=Russia, Blocked From the Global Internet, Plunges Into Digital Isolation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/technology/russia-ukraine-internet-isolation.html |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=7 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/597411-grassroots-effort-uses-shortwave-radio-to-broadcast-voa-in-ukraine-russia/|title=Grassroots effort uses shortwave radio to broadcast VOA in Ukraine, Russia|first=Rebecca|last=Klar|date=March 8, 2022}}</ref> Nevertheless, many Russians have used [[VPN]]s and other software to get around Russian government blocks.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGil |first1=Margaret Harding |title=How Russians are evading the internet blockade |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/03/09/vpns-evading-russias-internet-blockade |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=March 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://information-professionals.org/radio-to-russia-can-old-technologies-make-a-dent-in-putins-information-blockade/|title=Radio to Russia: Can Old Technologies Make a Dent in Putin's Information Blockade?|first=John|last=Bicknell|date=June 21, 2022|website=Information Professionals Association}}</ref> As of March 2022, VOA broadcasts were reaching people in Russia and the region through TV, FM and medium wave radio, digital, and direct-to-home satellite.<ref name="auto"/> In May 2023, Russia banned acting VOA chief Yolanda Lopez from ever entering the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/russia-bans-jimmy-kimmel-stephen-colbert-seth-meyers-rachel-maddow-1235496448/|title=Russia Bans Late Night Hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers From Entering the Country|first=Alex|last=Weprin|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 19, 2023}}</ref>


== List of directors ==
== List of directors ==
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In response to Pack's August 27 interview with ''[[The Federalist (website)|The Federalist]]'' website, a group of VOA journalists sent a letter to VOA Acting Director Elez Biberaj complaining that Pack's "comments and decisions 'endanger the personal security of VOA reporters at home and abroad, as well as threatening to harm U.S. national security objectives.'"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=August 31, 2020 |title=Voice of America Journalists: New CEO Endangers Reporters, Harms U.S. Aims |publisher=National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/31/907764105/voice-of-america-journalists-new-ceo-endangers-reporters-harms-u-s-aims |url-status=live |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903033622/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/31/907764105/voice-of-america-journalists-new-ceo-endangers-reporters-harms-u-s-aims |archive-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref> VOA's response was that "it would not respond directly to the letter because it was 'improper' and 'failed to follow procedure.' Instead, the leadership of USAGM and VOA 'are handling the choice of complaint transmission as an administrative issue,' which suggested that the journalists could face sanctions for their letter," according to ''The Washington Post''. In the same story, the ''Post'' reported that VOA Spanish-language service White House correspondent's Brigo Segovia's interview with an official about the administration's response to Pack's personnel and other moves had been censored and his own access to VOA's computer system restricted.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ellison |first1=Sarah |last2=Farhi |first2=Paul |date=September 2, 2020 |title=New Voice of America overseer called foreign journalists a security risk. Now the staff is revolting. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/new-voice-of-america-overseer-called-foreign-journalists-a-security-risk-now-the-staff-is-revolting/2020/09/01/da7fa0a8-eba2-11ea-ab4e-581edb849379_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903033621/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/new-voice-of-america-overseer-called-foreign-journalists-a-security-risk-now-the-staff-is-revolting/2020/09/01/da7fa0a8-eba2-11ea-ab4e-581edb849379_story.html |archive-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref>
In response to Pack's August 27 interview with ''[[The Federalist (website)|The Federalist]]'' website, a group of VOA journalists sent a letter to VOA Acting Director Elez Biberaj complaining that Pack's "comments and decisions 'endanger the personal security of VOA reporters at home and abroad, as well as threatening to harm U.S. national security objectives.'"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=August 31, 2020 |title=Voice of America Journalists: New CEO Endangers Reporters, Harms U.S. Aims |publisher=National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/31/907764105/voice-of-america-journalists-new-ceo-endangers-reporters-harms-u-s-aims |url-status=live |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903033622/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/31/907764105/voice-of-america-journalists-new-ceo-endangers-reporters-harms-u-s-aims |archive-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref> VOA's response was that "it would not respond directly to the letter because it was 'improper' and 'failed to follow procedure.' Instead, the leadership of USAGM and VOA 'are handling the choice of complaint transmission as an administrative issue,' which suggested that the journalists could face sanctions for their letter," according to ''The Washington Post''. In the same story, the ''Post'' reported that VOA Spanish-language service White House correspondent's Brigo Segovia's interview with an official about the administration's response to Pack's personnel and other moves had been censored and his own access to VOA's computer system restricted.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ellison |first1=Sarah |last2=Farhi |first2=Paul |date=September 2, 2020 |title=New Voice of America overseer called foreign journalists a security risk. Now the staff is revolting. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/new-voice-of-america-overseer-called-foreign-journalists-a-security-risk-now-the-staff-is-revolting/2020/09/01/da7fa0a8-eba2-11ea-ab4e-581edb849379_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903033621/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/new-voice-of-america-overseer-called-foreign-journalists-a-security-risk-now-the-staff-is-revolting/2020/09/01/da7fa0a8-eba2-11ea-ab4e-581edb849379_story.html |archive-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref>


On July 20, 2020, District of Columbia attorney general [[Karl A. Racine]] filed suit under the District's Nonprofit Corporations Act to reverse Pack's replacement of the [[Open Technology Fund]] (OTF) board.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AG Racine Files Lawsuit to Resolve Presence of Dueling Boards at District Nonprofit Open Technology Fund |url=https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-files-lawsuit-resolve-presence-dueling |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121064657/https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-files-lawsuit-resolve-presence-dueling |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |website=oag.dc.gov |publisher=Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia}}</ref> Beginning in August 2020, OTF came under increasing pressure from Peck and USAGM leadership. According to Axios,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allen-Ebrahamian |first=Bethany |date=June 23, 2020 |title=In media agency shakeup, conservative groups push for Falun Gong-backed internet tools |publisher=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/falun-gong-us-agency-global-media-001fcf52-95fa-43de-b0c7-0cd7cfc2918f.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122214534/https://www.axios.com/falun-gong-us-agency-global-media-001fcf52-95fa-43de-b0c7-0cd7cfc2918f.html |archive-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sewell |first=Tia |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Trump's War on the U.S. Agency for Global Media |publisher=Lawfare |url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trumps-war-us-agency-global-media |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923133409/https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trumps-war-us-agency-global-media |archive-date=September 23, 2023}}</ref> this was related to OTF's reluctance to extend grants to [[Falun Gong]]-related enterprises working on technology directed against China's [[Great Firewall]]; ''The New York Times'' noted Falun Gong and its ''[[Epoch Times]]'' media group frequently supported the Trump administration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roose |first=Kevin |date=February 5, 2020 |title=Epoch Times, Punished by Facebook, Gets a New Megaphone on YouTube |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/technology/epoch-times-youtube.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205101155/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/technology/epoch-times-youtube.html |archive-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> On August 18, USAGM announced it was setting up its own Office of Internet Freedom with less strict grant requirements and began soliciting OTF's grantees to apply to the new office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CEO Pack revives USAGM's Office of Internet Freedom; agency funds internet firewall circumvention technologies |url=https://www.usagm.gov/2020/08/18/ceo-pack-revives-usagms-office-of-internet-freedom-agency-funds-internet-firewall-circumvention-technologies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122183735/https://www.usagm.gov/2020/08/18/ceo-pack-revives-usagms-office-of-internet-freedom-agency-funds-internet-firewall-circumvention-technologies/ |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |website=usagm.gov |publisher=US Agency for Global Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fischer |first=Sara |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Scoop: USAGM soliciting OTF partners as it withholds funds |publisher=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/usagm-soliciting-otf-partners-as-it-withholds-funds-e59fa0d1-5ec9-4fcc-a5c1-64176fa23644.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116131953/https://www.axios.com/usagm-soliciting-otf-partners-as-it-withholds-funds-e59fa0d1-5ec9-4fcc-a5c1-64176fa23644.html |archive-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> On August 20, OTF sued USAGM in the US Court for Federal Claims for withholding nearly $20 million in previously agreed grant funds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fischer |first=Sara |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Scoop: Open Technology Fund sues administration for $20M in missing funds |publisher=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/scoop-open-technology-fund-sues-administration-for-20m-in-missing-funds-90b5420d-2f41-4e50-b58b-6a517af26cd6.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126144044/https://www.axios.com/scoop-open-technology-fund-sues-administration-for-20m-in-missing-funds-90b5420d-2f41-4e50-b58b-6a517af26cd6.html |archive-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> On October 15, [[summary judgment]] was granted nullifying Pack's attempt to replace the OTF board.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AG Racine Wins Lawsuit Resolving Leadership Crisis at District Nonprofit Caused by Trump Appointee |url=https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-wins-lawsuit-resolving-leadership-crisis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112192042/https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-wins-lawsuit-resolving-leadership-crisis |archive-date=January 12, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |website=oag.dc.gov |publisher=Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia}}</ref>
On July 20, 2020, District of Columbia attorney general [[Karl A. Racine]] filed suit under the District's Nonprofit Corporations Act to reverse Pack's replacement of the [[Open Technology Fund]] (OTF) board.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AG Racine Files Lawsuit to Resolve Presence of Dueling Boards at District Nonprofit Open Technology Fund |url=https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-files-lawsuit-resolve-presence-dueling |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121064657/https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-files-lawsuit-resolve-presence-dueling |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |website=oag.dc.gov |publisher=Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia}}</ref> Beginning in August 2020, OTF came under increasing pressure from Peck and USAGM leadership. According to Axios,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allen-Ebrahamian |first=Bethany |date=June 23, 2020 |title=In media agency shakeup, conservative groups push for Falun Gong-backed internet tools |publisher=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/falun-gong-us-agency-global-media-001fcf52-95fa-43de-b0c7-0cd7cfc2918f.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122214534/https://www.axios.com/falun-gong-us-agency-global-media-001fcf52-95fa-43de-b0c7-0cd7cfc2918f.html |archive-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sewell |first=Tia |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Trump's War on the U.S. Agency for Global Media |publisher=Lawfare |url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trumps-war-us-agency-global-media |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923133409/https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trumps-war-us-agency-global-media |archive-date=September 23, 2023}}</ref> this was related to OTF's reluctance to extend grants to [[Falun Gong]]-related enterprises working on technology directed against China's [[Great Firewall]]; ''The New York Times'' noted Falun Gong and its ''[[Epoch Times]]'' media group frequently supported the Trump administration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roose |first=Kevin |date=February 5, 2020 |title=Epoch Times, Punished by Facebook, Gets a New Megaphone on YouTube |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/technology/epoch-times-youtube.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205101155/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/technology/epoch-times-youtube.html |archive-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> On August 18, USAGM announced it was setting up its own Office of Internet Freedom with less strict grant requirements and began soliciting OTF's grantees to apply to the new office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CEO Pack revives USAGM's Office of Internet Freedom; agency funds internet firewall circumvention technologies |url=https://www.usagm.gov/2020/08/18/ceo-pack-revives-usagms-office-of-internet-freedom-agency-funds-internet-firewall-circumvention-technologies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122183735/https://www.usagm.gov/2020/08/18/ceo-pack-revives-usagms-office-of-internet-freedom-agency-funds-internet-firewall-circumvention-technologies/ |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |website=usagm.gov |publisher=US Agency for Global Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fischer |first=Sara |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Scoop: USAGM soliciting OTF partners as it withholds funds |publisher=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/usagm-soliciting-otf-partners-as-it-withholds-funds-e59fa0d1-5ec9-4fcc-a5c1-64176fa23644.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116131953/https://www.axios.com/usagm-soliciting-otf-partners-as-it-withholds-funds-e59fa0d1-5ec9-4fcc-a5c1-64176fa23644.html |archive-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> On August 20, OTF sued USAGM in the US Court for Federal Claims for withholding nearly $20 million in previously agreed grant funds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fischer |first=Sara |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Scoop: Open Technology Fund sues administration for $20M in missing funds |publisher=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/scoop-open-technology-fund-sues-administration-for-20m-in-missing-funds-90b5420d-2f41-4e50-b58b-6a517af26cd6.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126144044/https://www.axios.com/scoop-open-technology-fund-sues-administration-for-20m-in-missing-funds-90b5420d-2f41-4e50-b58b-6a517af26cd6.html |archive-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> On October 15, [[summary judgment]] was granted nullifying Pack's attempt to replace the OTF board.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AG Racine Wins Lawsuit Resolving Leadership Crisis at District Nonprofit Caused by Trump Appointee |url=https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-wins-lawsuit-resolving-leadership-crisis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112192042/https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-wins-lawsuit-resolving-leadership-crisis |archive-date=January 12, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |website=oag.dc.gov |publisher=Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia}}</ref>


On September 29, six senior USAGM officials filed a whistleblower complaint in which they alleged that Pack or one of his aides had ordered research conducted into the voting history of at least one agency employee, which would be a violation of laws protecting civil servants from undue political influence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=September 30, 2020 |title=6 whistleblowers allege misconduct by government media boss |publisher=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/30/whistleblowers-allege-misconduct-agency-for-global-media-423758 |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005112909/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/30/whistleblowers-allege-misconduct-agency-for-global-media-423758 |archive-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref> NPR reported that two Pack aides had compiled a report on VOA White House bureau chief [[Steven L. Herman]]'s social media postings and other writings in an attempt to charge him with a conflict of interest, and that the agency released a conflict of interest policy stating in part that a "journalist who on Facebook 'likes' a comment or political cartoon that aggressively attacks or disparages the President must recuse themselves from covering the President."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=October 4, 2020 |title=VOA White House Reporter Investigated For Anti-Trump Bias By Political Appointees |publisher=National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/04/919266194/political-aides-investigate-voa-white-house-reporter-for-anti-trump-bias |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007012527/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/04/919266194/political-aides-investigate-voa-white-house-reporter-for-anti-trump-bias |archive-date=October 7, 2020}}</ref> A [[preliminary injunction]] issued on November 20 barred Pack "from making personnel decisions involving journalists at the networks; from directly communicating with editors and journalists employed by them; and from investigating any editors or news stories produced by them," and characterized the investigation of Herman as an "unconstitutional prior restraint" of his, his editors', and fellow journalists' free speech.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=November 20, 2020 |title=Judge slaps down Trump appointee who has sought to reshape Voice of America and related agencies |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/judge-slaps-down-trump-appointee-who-has-sought-to-reshape-voice-of-america-and-related-agencies/2020/11/21/125d285a-2baa-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121055435/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/judge-slaps-down-trump-appointee-who-has-sought-to-reshape-voice-of-america-and-related-agencies/2020/11/21/125d285a-2baa-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html |archive-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref>
On September 29, six senior USAGM officials filed a whistleblower complaint in which they alleged that Pack or one of his aides had ordered research conducted into the voting history of at least one agency employee, which would be a violation of laws protecting civil servants from undue political influence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=September 30, 2020 |title=6 whistleblowers allege misconduct by government media boss |publisher=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/30/whistleblowers-allege-misconduct-agency-for-global-media-423758 |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005112909/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/30/whistleblowers-allege-misconduct-agency-for-global-media-423758 |archive-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref> NPR reported that two Pack aides had compiled a report on VOA White House bureau chief [[Steven L. Herman]]'s social media postings and other writings in an attempt to charge him with a conflict of interest, and that the agency released a conflict of interest policy stating in part that a "journalist who on Facebook 'likes' a comment or political cartoon that aggressively attacks or disparages the President must recuse themselves from covering the President."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=October 4, 2020 |title=VOA White House Reporter Investigated For Anti-Trump Bias By Political Appointees |publisher=National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/04/919266194/political-aides-investigate-voa-white-house-reporter-for-anti-trump-bias |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007012527/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/04/919266194/political-aides-investigate-voa-white-house-reporter-for-anti-trump-bias |archive-date=October 7, 2020}}</ref> A [[preliminary injunction]] issued on November 20 barred Pack "from making personnel decisions involving journalists at the networks; from directly communicating with editors and journalists employed by them; and from investigating any editors or news stories produced by them," and characterized the investigation of Herman as an "unconstitutional prior restraint" of his, his editors', and fellow journalists' free speech.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=November 20, 2020 |title=Judge slaps down Trump appointee who has sought to reshape Voice of America and related agencies |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/judge-slaps-down-trump-appointee-who-has-sought-to-reshape-voice-of-america-and-related-agencies/2020/11/21/125d285a-2baa-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121055435/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/judge-slaps-down-trump-appointee-who-has-sought-to-reshape-voice-of-america-and-related-agencies/2020/11/21/125d285a-2baa-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html |archive-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref>
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