Voice of America’s Persian service and Radio Farda have ramped up broadcasts amid the escalating Iran‑Israel conflict—even as funding threats, staff furloughs, and government harassment continue to test their resilience.
At a Glance
- Radio Farda and VOA’s Persian team resumed and intensified coverage of the Iran‑Israel conflict
- Radio Farda maintained broadcasts despite furloughing more than half its staff
- VOA brought back around 75 Persian‑language staffers to expand news output
- Both outlets are fighting legal battles over Trump-era funding cuts
- Iranian audiences responded with a 77% surge in traffic, even as staff families inside Iran faced intimidation
Persian Broadcasting Rises to the Occasion
Despite deep budget cuts under the previous administration, both Voice of America and Radio Farda managed to quickly ramp up their Persian-language output as the Iran-Israel conflict escalated. Radio Farda kept essential broadcasts running despite having furloughed more than half its team. VOA’s Persian team was urgently recalled, with 75 staffers returning to provide real-time coverage to audiences inside Iran.
Audience Response and Government Pressure
Iranians have flocked to these services as trusted alternatives to state-controlled media. Website traffic to Radio Farda surged by 77% during the first 30 days of the conflict. But this expanded visibility also drew the attention of Iranian security services: according to Politico, families of five Radio Farda journalists reported facing harassment from the Iranian government.
Funding Cuts and Legal Battles
Both outlets are still locked in legal battles to preserve their missions. The Trump-era attempt to dismantle USAGM—the agency overseeing VOA and Farda—triggered widespread staff cuts and forced both broadcasters to fight for survival. As The Daily Beast reports, the current scramble to rehire staff highlights the continuing importance of these platforms in providing accurate reporting in one of the world’s most restricted information environments.
As Persian-language coverage intensifies during wartime, these broadcasters remain on the front lines of an information war—delivering vital news while facing down both political and authoritarian pressures.
