Fact Check: There are 75 full time employees within VOA’s Persian wing.

Fact Check: "There are 75 full-time employees within VOA’s Persian wing."

What We Know

The claim that "there are 75 full-time employees within VOA’s Persian wing" has circulated recently, particularly in light of ongoing discussions about staffing at the Voice of America (VOA). According to a report from Politico, the Persian wing of VOA is indeed said to have around 75 full-time employees. This assertion is echoed in other reports, including one from Raw Story, which also states that the Persian wing has about 75 full-time employees.

However, the context surrounding this claim is crucial. The VOA has undergone significant staffing changes and restructuring in recent years, particularly under the Trump administration, which sought to reduce the size of the agency. A letter reviewed by The New York Times indicated that the total staff at VOA was being drastically reduced from approximately 1,400 to less than 20, with a focus on maintaining only a minimal presence to comply with legal requirements.

Analysis

While multiple sources claim that there are currently 75 full-time employees in the Persian wing of VOA, the reliability of these claims is questionable given the broader context of staffing reductions at the agency. The reports from Politico and Raw Story do not provide detailed evidence or direct confirmation from VOA management regarding the current staffing levels, which raises concerns about the accuracy of their assertions.

The New York Times article highlights that the proposed restructuring could leave only 18 employees at VOA, which contradicts the claim of 75 full-time employees in the Persian wing. This discrepancy suggests that while there may have been 75 employees at one point, ongoing layoffs and administrative changes could have significantly altered that number.

Moreover, the credibility of the sources reporting the 75 employees is mixed. While Politico and Raw Story are established news outlets, the lack of direct quotes or data from VOA itself makes it difficult to verify the current staffing levels independently. The situation is further complicated by the political context, as the Trump administration's actions have led to significant uncertainty regarding the agency's operations and staffing.

Conclusion

The claim that "there are 75 full-time employees within VOA’s Persian wing" is False. While some sources report this number, it appears to be inconsistent with the broader context of staffing reductions at VOA, where the total number of employees has been drastically cut. The lack of direct confirmation from VOA and the conflicting reports about staffing levels further undermine the reliability of the claim.