The Voice of America is canceling two Chinese-language programs focused on the standoff between China and Taiwan in a move critics say signals a softening of the broadcaster’s coverage of communist China.
The cancellations involving Taiwanese-American broadcasters were announced recently in an internal message to employees of the U.S. government-owned international news operation known as VOA.
VOA spokeswoman Anna Morris confirmed the program changes, but downplayed the notion that they represent a curtailing of China coverage, saying instead they are part of a larger effort by VOA’s Mandarin language service to shift from traditional television to digital platforms.