It is heartbreaking to read and hear about what has happened to VOA, USAID and now State.
Yesterday, I posted the position of president/CEO of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth on my LinkedIn page. Today, looking at the analytics, the highest percentage of clicks came from DC and State.
The only way to have a secure occupation is to b in your own business. You were in a occupation that involved others with different opinions. I personally thought VOA ,that only reported true facts ,that u were safe. Apparently I was wrong. Better luck in your new endeavor .
My hats off to those who own and run small businesses. My impression is that it is far from risk free. Costs are high -- even a lot of physicians can no longer own their own clinics due to the skyrocketing cost of malpractice insurance and paltry reimbursements. Large corporations have made most of the mom-n-pop shops uncompetitive. I was a freelance journalist for some years in Japan. It would take months to get paid. When I co-owned a video production company I had to fly from Tokyo to a major Hollywood studio to beg to get paid for a five-figure invoice. That's when I decided that kind of business really wasn't for me any longer. I had a great run as a contractor and staffer at VOA for 20+ years and I knew the US government wasn't going to go bankrupt and fail to pay me. The came Elon Musk and DOGE amid the political interference.
I drove by the VOA a few weekends ago and I let out a sigh. It’s hard to say goodbye to a place you’ve dedicated your career to and the people there. Thank you for sharing this.
Steve, you've done great work for VOA. You've honored its mandate, laid out in the VOA Charter, to "serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news," ensuring that coverage is "accurate, objective and comprehensive."
You fought the good fight, Steve. I've seen how hard you work in the field, reporting from tough spots and through some daunting circumstances. You leave with your integrity intact and your head held high. Nothing but respect and admiration for you, my friend! :)
That article was hard enough to read; can't imagine living it like you and the other dedicated VOA employees have. Hopeful everyone lands on their feet, and that truth and integrity will one day return to the airwaves.
Unceasingly professional! What's next? Seek freelance journalist asssignments or a combination of writing/publishing for yourself and relaxing/taking a breath?
It is heartbreaking to read and hear about what has happened to VOA, USAID and now State.
Yesterday, I posted the position of president/CEO of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth on my LinkedIn page. Today, looking at the analytics, the highest percentage of clicks came from DC and State.
The only way to have a secure occupation is to b in your own business. You were in a occupation that involved others with different opinions. I personally thought VOA ,that only reported true facts ,that u were safe. Apparently I was wrong. Better luck in your new endeavor .
My hats off to those who own and run small businesses. My impression is that it is far from risk free. Costs are high -- even a lot of physicians can no longer own their own clinics due to the skyrocketing cost of malpractice insurance and paltry reimbursements. Large corporations have made most of the mom-n-pop shops uncompetitive. I was a freelance journalist for some years in Japan. It would take months to get paid. When I co-owned a video production company I had to fly from Tokyo to a major Hollywood studio to beg to get paid for a five-figure invoice. That's when I decided that kind of business really wasn't for me any longer. I had a great run as a contractor and staffer at VOA for 20+ years and I knew the US government wasn't going to go bankrupt and fail to pay me. The came Elon Musk and DOGE amid the political interference.
Thank you for your professionalism and insights over the years. I wish you well in your next endeavors and know that your work has not been in vain.
Orwell is rolling in his grave.
To find pen & paper to take notes.
YES. But can I also just say -- wow, so organized. Definitely teach those tips to your students! I was never good at filing away business cards...
I drove by the VOA a few weekends ago and I let out a sigh. It’s hard to say goodbye to a place you’ve dedicated your career to and the people there. Thank you for sharing this.
Steve, you've done great work for VOA. You've honored its mandate, laid out in the VOA Charter, to "serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news," ensuring that coverage is "accurate, objective and comprehensive."
Thank you for all you've done over the years
You fought the good fight, Steve. I've seen how hard you work in the field, reporting from tough spots and through some daunting circumstances. You leave with your integrity intact and your head held high. Nothing but respect and admiration for you, my friend! :)
That article was hard enough to read; can't imagine living it like you and the other dedicated VOA employees have. Hopeful everyone lands on their feet, and that truth and integrity will one day return to the airwaves.
Unceasingly professional! What's next? Seek freelance journalist asssignments or a combination of writing/publishing for yourself and relaxing/taking a breath?
https://olemiss.edu/news/2025/05/steve-herman-hired-as-jordan-center-director/index.html
🥳
Horrible. I'm sorry this happened. Thanks for taking a stand and good luck at your new job.