Fact Check: "There are 75 full-time employees within VOA’s Persian wing."
What We Know
The claim regarding the number of full-time employees in the Voice of America's (VOA) Persian wing is largely supported by recent reports. According to a Washington Post article, VOA recalled about 75 employees from the Persian news division amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel. This decision was made by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, after many employees had been placed on administrative leave. The article indicates that most of the staff being recalled were indeed from the Persian division, which focuses on reporting for Iranian audiences, particularly during significant geopolitical events.
Further corroboration comes from a Politico report, which explicitly states that there are approximately 75 full-time employees within VOA's Persian wing. This aligns with the information provided by the Washington Post, reinforcing the accuracy of the claim.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is derived from credible news sources that report on the operations of VOA and its Persian service. The Washington Post is a well-established publication known for its investigative journalism, and its reporting on the matter provides a detailed context regarding the recall of staff in response to international events. The article discusses the broader implications of this staffing decision, including the political backdrop involving the Trump administration's previous cuts to VOA's funding and staffing.
The Politico article also provides a reliable account, confirming the number of employees and the context of their recall. Politico is recognized for its political reporting and analysis, which adds to the credibility of the information presented.
However, while both sources confirm the number of employees, it is important to note that the context surrounding the staffing decisions is complex and influenced by political factors. The reports indicate that the Persian division's staffing levels can fluctuate based on geopolitical crises, which raises questions about the stability and continuity of the service.
Conclusion
The claim that there are 75 full-time employees within VOA’s Persian wing is Partially True. While there is strong evidence supporting the existence of approximately 75 employees, the context indicates that this number may not be static and could change based on external circumstances. The reports highlight the political dynamics affecting staffing decisions at VOA, suggesting that the Persian wing's operational capacity is subject to fluctuations in response to international events.
Sources
- Voice of America brings back 75 staffers amid Iran-Israel ... Washington Post
- Voice of America Wikipedia
- 如何用收音机（德生）在国内收听BBC、VOA？ - 知乎 Zhihu
- US scrambles to bring back VOA's Persian service amid ... Politico
- 「2025.03.15」如何看待美国国际媒体署(USAGM)宣布美国之 ... Zhihu
- Voice of America service airing to Iran 'urgently called back' ... Raw Story
- 有哪些像 VOA、BBC 的英语听力网站值得推荐？ - 知乎 Zhihu
- Voice of America brings back Farsi-speaking staff amid Israel-Iran confl… Yahoo News
