Voice of America (VOA) could be back on air as early as next week after the broadcaster fell silent in March after an executive order by US President Donald Trump effectively gutted the network.

Trump ordered the network's parent agency, called the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), to eliminate its workforce and activities not required by law, on March 14.

The federal agency also oversees other networks like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia, both of which have been crucial in providing fair and accurate information in countries where press freedoms are complicated and murky.

VOA edict challenged in court 

The executive order signed by Trump was challenged in court by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, among others.

A federal appeals court then upheld a temporary stay on the executive order that dismantled the network and ordered that employees' accounts be restored.

But the appeals court also temporarily blocked the part of the order that asked funds for other networks like RFE/RL be restored. 

Reporters Without Borders, also known by its French acronym RSF, said its lawyers received an email from the Department of Justice on May 3 that said VOA staff could begin work as early as next week.

The news comes on May 3, which is also World Press Freedom Day, a day that celebrates free press and denounces attacks against journalists around the world. 

DOJ email says VOA staff to begin returning to work

VOA's chief national correspondent Steve Herman also confirmed the news on social media.

"A Justice Department attorney has sent an email to our lawyer, David Seide, informing him that USAGM expects VOA staff to begin a 'phased return' to work and programming to resume next week," Herman posted on X.

The AFP news agency said two VOA journalists it talked with had regained access to their work email accounts but had yet to receive official word from VOA.

According to RSF, an email by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that the accounts of more than 1,400 employees had been reactivated.

"We understand that earlier today USAGM... activated the accounts of 1,406 USAGM and VOA employees and contractors," the DOJ email read, according to RSF.

"USAGM currently expects staff to begin to return to the office next week, as security, building space, and equipment issues require a phased return," the DOJ email said, adding, "USAGM anticipates VOA programming to resume next week."

Edited by: Zac Crellin