Kari Lake says she has no intention of turning Voice of America into “Trump TV”
Kari Lake says she has no intention of turning the government-funded news outlet Voice of America into “MAGA TV,” but she would like to see the return of politically neutral journalism.
“I’m sure they’ve done some great things. I’ve been looking everywhere,” Lake said in an interview with CBS News on Saturday. “I’m not trying to make it Trump TV and MAGA TV. That’s not what this show is about. That’s not what VOA is about.”
Lake, a former broadcast journalist, ran unsuccessfully for governor and governor. Arizona U.S. Senate seatof President-elect Donald Trump Selection of head of international broadcasting company.
Voice of America is part of the U.S. global media organization, which broadcasts international news weekly on radio, television and online to an estimated 354 million viewers in 49 languages, according to its website. It is operated by an independent federal agency.
Speaking on stage at the American Festival, a political rally in Phoenix hosted by the far-right group Turning Point USA on Saturday, Lake issued a sharp criticism of non-conservative media, saying “fake news – the mainstream media – has become obsolete.”
“They have benefits,” she told the crowd. “They’re kind of like a barometer. If you see fake news attacking someone, what you should do is say: I have to support that person.”
In an interview late Saturday, she told CBS News that she wanted to ensure VOA staff had the resources to “be the incredible journalists they are meant to be.”
Asked about her plans for changes to the newsroom, Lake said, “Well, I need to go in and see what’s going on.” She then said she wanted to expand its coverage.
“We are talking to the world through Voice of America,” she said. “I actually want to provide more coverage, more product, more broadcasts, if you will, and make sure they’re doing really high-quality, top-notch broadcasts and focus on great journalism, asking questions , and make sure journalists know they are independent journalists.”
Lake responded to concerns by some that she might politicize news organizations, saying she didn’t care whether reporters were Democrats or Republicans, but rather whether they could set aside their own opinions.
“I’ve never met anyone — they could say they’re neutral, but I’ve never really met anyone who hasn’t formed a belief,” Lake said. “It’s natural. It’s normal. As a reporter, can you check when you’re reporting the news? Make a fair, accurate assessment. That’s what I’m pushing for.”
Lake revealed that she thought people would realize she was not who the “corporate media” portrayed her to be.
“Sometimes, when I meet people, I feel like I have to leave to prove that I’m not out of my mind because the corporate mainstream media has made such dishonest numbers about me,” she said. “That’s one thing I resonate with a lot with President Trump. We’ve heard the worst things said about us.”
Lake also acknowledged that Trump could not unilaterally appoint her to the position — the decision would depend on bipartisan committee This would necessitate the removal of the current director and the approval of a new one.
Voice of America reported last week that current director Mike Abramowitz said in an email to staff that he welcomed “a smooth transition of power.”
