Time to Reform VOA and Its Iran Programming: Trim the Fat, Keep the Mission

The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate funding for Voice of America (VOA) represents a missed opportunity to reform and enhance the outlet’s capacity to counter adversarial propaganda. This is especially the case regarding Iran, which is waging a full-fledged propaganda war against the United States.

The White House fairly argues that VOA has become a tool for partisan agendas and deviated from its original mission, citing issues like misallocated funds, the suppression of critical coverage on Iran, and the failure to label the Tehran-backed Hamas as a terrorist group. However, Washington can better address these problems by improving the outlet, not dismantling it. As Kari Lake, the senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the federal agency that oversees VOA, said, the outlet should become a “weapon” to fight an “information war.”

Iran’s Information War

Iran’s propaganda machine targets audiences across Iran and the globe. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the regime-controlled media organization, operates multiple foreign-language channels, including Press TV in English; Arabic outlets Al-Alam, Al-Kawthar TV, and Al-Alam Syria; the Spanish-language Hispan TV; and Hausa TV for West African audiences. It also manages the Sahar Universal Network, which broadcasts in Azeri, Kurdish, Urdu, and Balkan languages like Bosnian and Albanian. Similarly, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s official website disseminates content in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, Azeri and Arabic. He also posts in Hebrew via his X account.

Tehran’s theocratic rule, which restricts media freedom, makes Persian-language broadcasting an integral part of Washington’s Iran policy, as millions of Iranians rely on foreign-based media to bypass regime censorship. VOA and Radio Farda, another U.S.-government-funded outlet aimed at Iranians that the Trump administration has defunded, once dominated the Persian-language media landscape, but the two are lagging behind their competitors like the Saudi-affiliated Iran International, BBC Persian, and Manoto TV. VOA’s deficient coverage of human rights abuses in Iran contributed to its waning popularity. In 2014, its timid approach to a surge of executions under President Hassan Rouhani prompted a bipartisan group of nine House members to publish a letter expressing concern that “this network [VOA Persian], which is meant to promote freedom and democracy through objective news and information, may have harmed instead of helped the plight of Iranians seeking to claim their human rights.”

Reforming VOA

The Trump administration can take several steps to transform VOA into a critical tool that advances U.S. interests and values, particularly with respect to the Islamic Republic.

First and foremost, an editorial shift at VOA should reshape the hiring process. A 2022 letter from seven House members to USAGM warned that VOA Persian’s coverage under its former director was overly favorable to Tehran and promoted a politically partisan narrative. There is no room for individuals who fail to advance meaningful criticism of authoritarian regimes such as Iran.

Second, staffing must omit the bureaucratic bloat. The reliance on permanent government employment has reduced flexibility, prompting Lake’s earlier pledge to “shift resources.” VOA should retain only the most mission-critical personnel. Pivoting toward a contractor-based workforce — which allows for greater accountability and adaptability — would significantly boost efficiency.

Third, the Trump administration should merge VOA Persian and Radio Farda into a single, unified outlet. Maintaining two separate operations with the same audience is a redundant and inefficient practice. A streamlined structure would reduce costs, eliminate internal competition, and create a clearer editorial vision. One strong outlet is far more impactful than two struggling ones.

Fourth, VOA should secure exclusive access to U.S. government officials to report on notable U.S. policy developments for key stories. This cost-effective approach would not only enhance VOA’s value as a news source with unique content but would also position it ahead of other publicly funded surrogate media sources by becoming the primary source for all U.S. government-related Iran developments. If done properly, this can compel other outlets to rely on VOA’s coverage and scoops.

Fifth, as Lake rightly said, a digital-first strategy is essential, especially for youth outreach. Traditional satellite television is rapidly losing relevance worldwide, particularly in Iran, a country where some 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30. Expanding the use of mobile apps, enhancing social media engagement, and producing short-form content must become top priorities. If VOA fails to meet audiences where they are, it risks losing them altogether.

Sixth, VOA needs to revamp the demographics of its anchors and guests. Younger, more dynamic, and more relatable personalities should be at the forefront of broadcasts, reflecting both the diversity and energy of American society. Lake’s stated aim to “rebuild audiences that have fallen off” could result from such a shift. This is not just about optics — it is about building authentic connections with a new generation of viewers increasingly disillusioned with outdated legacy media.

Finally, transparency, regular audits, and real accountability must be part of the system. Every taxpayer dollar must have a purpose. A three-year investigation by a House oversight panel in 2024 revealed that USAGM attempted to conceal misconduct by VOA Persian’s former director, whom the first Trump administration fired for misusing funds. Yet the Biden administration later rehired her. If VOA and Radio Farda are to carry America’s voice into closed societies, their internal operations must reflect professionalism, discipline, and strategic focus.

Restoring VOA’s Core Mission

VOA must return to its core mission. Neutrality in the face of tyranny is not integrity — it is abandonment. Programming should be unapologetically pro-American, fact-based, and aligned with U.S. foreign policy objectives. By reaffirming this goal, Washington can weaken and discredit the regime in Tehran, a core national security priority.

Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he focuses on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republic’s regional malign influence. Navid Mohebbi is an independent Iran expert living in Washington, DC. The views expressed are their own. For more analysis from FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow Janatan and Navid on X @JanatanSayeh and @navidmohebbi. Follow FDD on X @FDD and @FDD_Iran. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.