Background

Voice of America (VOA) is funded by American taxpayers to provide independent, uncensored, and unbiased news to people living under authoritarian regimes. Its mission is simple: truth, transparency, and journalistic integrity.

Today, millions of Iranians around the world are calling for democratic transition after the fall of the Islamic Republic. In cities across the world, historic demonstrations have taken place — from München (250,000) to Canada (350,000+), with a global turnout estimated between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 people worldwide outside IRAN.

These demonstrations share one central message:

Reza Pahlavi has been chosen by a majority of Iranians as the leader for a transitional period.

But VOA Persian, under the leadership of Ali Javanmardi, has reportedly refused to cover these major historic events. Witnesses, guests, and insiders claim:

• VOA has not aired a single segment about the worldwide protests.
• Guests are forbidden from mentioning Reza Pahlavi as the selected transitional figure.
• Editors enforce political and ideological censorship, contradicting the mission of a taxpayer‑funded news organization.
• VOA staff use their platform to push their own private ideological agendas instead of reporting the truth.
  If true, this is a direct violation of the principles behind VOA’s creation — free press, democracy, and transparency.

Why This Matters

Millions of Iranians depend on VOA because domestic media inside Iran is censored. If VOA itself becomes censored or politically manipulated, the Iranian people lose one of their last independent sources of information.

American taxpayers fund VOA so that the truth can reach people who do not have freedom of speech.

Censorship within VOA is a betrayal — both to the Iranian people and to American democratic values.

We Demand

We call on the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and relevant congressional oversight committees to:

1. Launch an independent investigation
…into censorship allegations inside VOA Persian under Ali Javanmardi’s leadership.

2. Restore journalistic neutrality
VOA must not silence coverage of the largest global Iranian demonstrations in modern history.

3. Ensure no political or ideological agenda
VOA employees must not manipulate coverage to favor or damage specific political figures or movements.

4. Replace leadership if necessary
If investigations confirm violations of journalistic ethics, USAGM must appoint leadership that upholds VOA’s mission.

5. Protect guest and staff freedom of expression
VOA must never again forbid guests from speaking about major political developments relevant to Iranians.

Our Message
VOA belongs to the people — not to individual editors, political factions, or personal agendas.

If VOA cannot maintain neutrality and integrity, then it must be reformed, restructured, or closed.

Sign this petition to demand transparency, accountability, and journalistic freedom.
Together we stand with millions of Iranians who fight for a free, democratic future.