TRUMP’S FOREIGN MEDIA POLICY AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR PRESS FREEDOM: A STUDY OF VOA HAUSA IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study critically analyses the impact of the Trump administration foreign media policy on press freedom and public diplomacy in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the termination of Voice of America (VOA) Hausa language services. Historically, international broadcasters like VOA have been vital for disseminating information, fostering cultural exchange and promoting democratic ideals, especially in countries like Nigeria transitioning from authoritarian rule.The purpose of this study is to examine the implications of President Trump’s foreign media policy on press freedom through a study of VOA Hausa services in Nigeria. This study employs a qualitative case study approach. Driven by an "America First" ideology and a goal to reduce federal spending, the Trump administration's policy shifts led to the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and, consequently, the cessation of VOA Hausa services. Utilising the Political Economy of Communication (PEC) and the Media Ownership Theory, this qualitative case study employs secondary data and thematic analysis. It investigates the immediate effects on information access for millions of Hausa-speaking Nigerians, the broader implications for U.S. public diplomacy and soft power, with the consequences for press freedom within Nigeria. Findings revealed that the termination created a significant information vacuum, leaving millions without a trusted news source and exacerbating isolation in conflict-prone regions. This decision severely damaged U.S. credibility and influence, which creates an opening for rival global powers like Russia and China to expand their media presence. The study concludes that the cessation of VOA Hausa services undermined press freedom by eliminating a crucial source of independent, fact-checked news, thereby exposing the fragility of diverse information access to shifts in foreign policy. The study recommends that the U.S. reconsider its policy to restore VOA Hausa services, while Nigeria should pursue diversified information access initiatives and increase support for independent local media to fortify press freedom.