Following Israel’s missile attacks on Iran, the US government has reactivated Voice of America’s Persian-language news service, recalling dozens of employees of the US international radio and television broadcaster who had previously been placed on paid leave.
Voice of America, which broadcasts news in dozens of foreign locations, previously included a news service in Farsi, the most widely spoken language in Iran. However, last March, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the news agency.
Numerous employees, including those covering news from the Middle East, were furloughed. Supporters of the broadcaster argued that the service provided credible news in places without an independent press, while the White House accused the agency of being too close to left-wing circles.
In an email reviewed by the New York Times, Persian service employees were told they would be recalled “effective immediately” and that they should report to their workplace immediately. They were also asked to ensure that their security credentials had been reactivated.
According to initial reports, the measure is expected to affect more than 50 full-time employees. On Friday, Voice of America’s Farsi web service was already updated with various news items concerning the attacks between Israel and Iran.
Voice of America journalists still on administrative leave complained that staff members were only now being called back in case of emergency, adding that the situation in the Middle East demonstrates why the network should never have been shut down.
“After months off the air, we’ve already lost a lot of audience and credibility,”said Patsy Widakuswara, former head of Voice of America’s White House bureau, who was placed on leave and is now leading a lawsuit against the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA. “They should bring us all back so we can respond to breaking news in all parts of the world.”
“It just shows how idiotic they are, consistent with this firing and rehiring pattern that has cost Americans who knows how many millions of dollars,” one VOA employee on administrative leave, said instead on condition of anonymity. “This is the real fraud, waste and abuse.”
The sudden decision to recall Persian service employees comes as the conflict in the region appears to be escalating, following the nighttime attack on Iran ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Tehran’s subsequent response.
