President Donald Trump's administration has laid off about 500 employees at the Voice of America (VOA), a US federally funded media outlet.

The decision is one of a series of steps President Donald Trump is taking to shut down the VOA, which he describes as "radical."

Carrie Lake, interim CEO of VOA's parent company, said the decision "will help reduce federal bureaucracy, improve agency services, and save the American people more of their hard-earned money.

A union representing media workers called the move "illegal" in a statement to the New York Times.

Founded to counter Nazi propaganda during World War II, VOA has become a major international radio and television broadcasting organization.