Voice of America Silence Sparks Concerns for Iranian Democracy

Washington, D.C. — Barry Rosen, a former hostage of the Iranian regime, criticized the Biden administration’s recent decision to silence the Voice of America (VOA) Persian broadcasts, a critical source of independent news for the Iranian people. For 44 years, Rosen has witnessed the struggles of the Iranian diaspora who consistently seek democracy in the face of oppression.

Rosen emphasized that VOA has been a reliable channel for uncensored news, empowering grassroots communities in moments of upheaval, including the Green Movement of 2009 and the Women Life Freedom protests from 2022 to 2023. “When VOA was on the air, it did more than inform — it challenged state propaganda and gave voice to a people yearning for change,” he said.

However, this recent decision has effectively taken VOA off the air, raising concerns about U.S. support for democratic movements abroad. “This action undermines not only the aspirations of millions of Iranians but also a broader effort against authoritarian regimes,” Rosen added.

Critics of the directive highlight its timing amid the growing influence of countries like China, Russia, and Iran, who have publicly celebrated the termination of VOA. Chinese state media described the termination as “the dismantling of a beacon of freedom,” while Russian broadcasters celebrated on air, amplifying the message that the end of VOA strengthens their own propaganda efforts.

The decision to silence VOA aligns with a worrying trend of retreat from international assistance programs, further weakening America’s global influence and emboldening adversarial regimes. “The abandonment of international programs surrenders influence to forces like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Rosen said. “Yielding to these enemies is not smart or strategic.”

As a survivor of the Iran hostage crisis, Rosen called for a renewed commitment to channels of free information that support democratic values. “Empowering those who challenge authoritarian rule reflects our national interests,” he stated. “Now is the time to advocate for international assistance programs that promote freedom and human rights.”

With millions of Iranians longing for change, Rosen echoed a clear mandate from the Iranian people: they will not accept silence. He urged Republican policymakers to restore a voice like VOA’s and remain engaged globally in support of those who share values of democracy and freedom.