We, the undersigned, call on the U.S. government to reevaluate the funding and operation of Voice of America (VOA) Persian and Radio Farda. These entities, which are funded by American taxpayers, have consistently failed to meet their intended objectives of effectively serving the Iranian people or advancing the interests of the United States.

Problem Statement:

Lack of Audience Engagement: VOA Persian and Radio Farda have minimal reach among their target audience in Iran. Numerous independent reports and surveys indicate that their content is largely ignored or considered irrelevant by the Iranian population.
Ineffectiveness in Fulfilling Their Mission: The stated mission of VOA Persian and Radio Farda is to promote freedom, democracy, and U.S. values through accurate and unbiased reporting. However, their inability to connect with audiences has rendered them ineffective in achieving these goals.
Misuse of Taxpayer Money: Maintaining these platforms costs millions of dollars annually. This is a misuse of public funds, particularly when their performance and impact remain questionable. These resources could be better allocated to programs with demonstrable value in supporting democracy and U.S. interests.
Our Request:

We urge the U.S. government to:

Conduct a thorough audit of VOA Persian and Radio Farda to assess their performance and effectiveness.
Shut down these entities if they are found to be failing their mission and lacking a significant audience.
Reallocate the funds to initiatives that more effectively promote freedom, democracy, and U.S. values domestically and abroad.
Why This Matters: American taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability when spending their money. Resources should not be wasted on platforms that do not provide measurable benefits to either the people of Iran or the United States. By addressing this issue, we can ensure that public funds are used responsibly for initiatives that further U.S. interests and values.

Join Us: By signing this petition, you join us in urging the U.S. government to take action and ensure responsible use of taxpayer funds. Let’s advocate for meaningful change and better allocation of public resources.