BBG – USAGM Watch Commentary
Iran-born American journalist Mahtab Farid continues to point out serious management problems at the Voice of America (VOA) Persian Service which have been lingering, according to many critics, for many years. Independent experts hired by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), known before 2018 as the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), concluded in an American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC) study issued in late 2017 that some of its broadcasts to Iran helped to spread propaganda and disinformation from the Iranian Islamic regime.
In one of her previous Facebook post Farid criticized Voice of America director Amanda Bennett:
“With all due respect Ms. Amanda Bennett, the Persian Service reporters haven’t left their desks for the recent unrest in Iran, so no need to worry. Your poor coverage of the protests in Iran have been beyond embarrassing. Please stop acting as if Persian service did something extraordinary.”
Mahtab Farid’s latest post is from December 27, 2019.
The leading news on VOA Persian site is a translation of an article from the Washington Post. The Persian service has over 50 employees where each reporter is in touch with at least 20 sources a day. They can write original reports with nuances so the Washington Post can quote. The ignorance all paid by your tax dollars at this very sensitive time in Iran is appalling.
SEE: Mahtab Farid Facebook Post from December 27, 2019:
https://www.facebook.com/MahtabFarid1/posts/10206497196786596
Mahtab Farid is an Iranian-born American journalist, linguist, educator and public diplomacy strategist with background in communication and international relations. For over a decade, Farid covered the conflicts in the Middle East and reported on US policy in the region for Voice of America and for USI News, which she founded. She served in Afghanistan as a public diplomacy officer with the US Department of State. Embedded with NATO troops in Forward Operating Bases of Ghazni and Bagram, Farid facilitated conflict resolutions, cultural initiatives, and trained over 90 Afghan journalists including women to help Afghans tell their stories. Upon return from Afghanistan, she joined Georgetown University as a Boren Scholar and taught language and culture at Defense Language Institute. Farid is the recipient of US Department of State Expeditionary Service Award for her service in Afghanistan. She works now as a journalist and radio host in Washington, DC.
Independent experts hired by the agency itself concluded in an American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC) study issued in late 2017 that some of its broadcasts to Iran helped to spread propaganda and disinformation from the Iranian Islamic regime.
