Listeners in northern Nigeria who tuned into Voice of America (VOA) last month were greeted with music instead of their usual programming, raising concerns among locals about the potential collapse of telecommunications or even a coup. One VOA journalist, Babangida Jibrin, recalled a listener asking if there had been a coup in the US after the station abruptly went off air on a Friday.
The shutdown, attributed to the Trump administration’s cuts in funding, has severely impacted northern Nigeria, where the Hausa-language service was a vital resource for millions, especially in regions with limited access to print media and unreliable internet. VOA’s programming, which served areas like rural Ghana, Cameroon, and Niger, is now unavailable, leaving many listeners cut off from international news.
Moussa Jaharou from southern Niger shared the concern, saying, “People are now cut off from news, especially international news,” noting that VOA’s service was crucial for those living in conflict-prone areas and isolated communities.
A Strong Historical Legacy
Originally founded during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda, VOA expanded during the Cold War to counter Soviet influence. Though funded by the US government, VOA became known for its reliable journalism, especially in countries like Nigeria where media outlets were sometimes too aligned with government or business interests. However, during Trump’s first term, accusations arose about the politicization of VOA. By the time of his second term, significant cuts to its budget led to the dismantling of key services.
Though VOA’s closure is not a death knell for Hausa-language media, it is a blow to an already fragile sector. The station’s health programming, including vital reports on diseases like HIV and malaria, also ceased abruptly.
Sadibou Marong, West Africa chief for Reporters Without Borders, lamented the loss, noting that VOA was essential for reporting on areas affected by armed groups in Nigeria and Niger, even when military forces pressured journalists to produce favorable reports.
Turbulent Media Landscape
VOA’s closure comes as other international broadcasters like Radio France Internationale (RFI) and the BBC also face censorship in the region. RFI’s Hausa service was banned by military authorities in Niger, and the BBC recently faced a three-month suspension.
Nigeria, with its strong radio culture dating back to the 1940s when radio stations were first established in Kano, has long relied on radio as a primary source of information. VOA’s Hausa service, launched in 1979, was widely syndicated across local stations, allowing it to reach millions in remote areas. This is especially important as internet access remains unreliable in many parts of the country.
Personal Impact on Journalists
For VOA journalists like Jibrin and Alhassan Bala, the closure is a devastating blow. Jibrin, who had been with VOA for years, reflected on the harassment he endured under Nigeria’s military regime in the 1990s, emotionally recalling how journalists were once seen as CIA agents. Bala, when informed about the shutdown, was in the middle of working on a fact-checking project and said, “I just said, ‘Oh my God,’” as he processed the grim news.
Despite the uncertainty of their future, many journalists remain committed to their work. Bala, in particular, expressed that his fact-checking work was now more crucial than ever.
This story continues to unfold, with legal challenges currently being made in the US courts against the decision to dismantle VOA’s services
