The Trump administration has moved to terminate almost 500 employees of federally funded news organisation Voice of America (VOA).

The step is the latest in President Donald Trump's drive to strip back the outlet, which the White House has accused of being "radical".

Acting CEO of VOA's parent agency, Kari Lake, said the decision would "help reduce the federal bureaucracy, improve agency service, and save the American people more of their hard-earned money." A union representing employees called the step illegal in a statement to the New York Times.

VOA was set up during World War Two to counter Nazi propaganda, and has become a major global broadcaster.

The outlet is overseen by the Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which said a total of 532 positions would be eliminated. The majority of those employees are from VOA, which would be left with 108 staff, according to a court filing.