For the last 50 years, some Americans have argued that Iranian demographics are trending toward democracy in place of theocratic rule and that the country would modernize and become a responsible, relatively rich player on the world stage. As noted, the argument has been made for some time, which bodes poorly for its long-term viability. Be that as it may, if one wants regime change to avoid wars in the Middle East – and one should – it would be only common sense to get American news to Iran. This is that much more important during a time when Iran has shut down access to the world’s internet, leaving many Iranians in the dark with respect to actual news. Thus it is that Kari Lake has cut Voice of America back to its bare bones, while also making it ever less reliable as a neutral purveyor of news.
According to reports by Rawstory:
Despite all of this, however, the board continued, on Lake’s watch, “Radio Farda has cut freelancers, furloughed staff and allowed podcasts and social-media accounts to lapse. It has also cut back on broadcasts through Kuwaiti transmitters that supported short-wave radio broadcasts in Iran. This old technology remains a critical source of information in times of crisis or social upheaval, such as today.”
Jesus, if there was ever a time to have our message get through to Iran. But again, we see a shortsighted domestic agenda doing real long-term and expensive damage on the world stage.
All of this comes as Iran puts massive new censorship on the internet, and orders people to delete apps like Telegram and WhatsApp that could help them communicate with the outside world — leaving radio broadcasts the only way people could hear counterprogramming to the regime.
Sh*t.
“Mr. Trump knows more than most about the power of social media to drive social change,” the board concluded. “As the war unfolds and in its aftermath, Iranians may have a chance to forge a new political destiny. They need truth to counter the regime’s lies, and Radio Farda and U.S. communications technology can help them get it.”
Yes, note the counter to the regime’s lies there. One gets the sense that even if the VOA could reach Iran – dubious – it would now be seen as nothing more than this regime’s change, sending out the Trump administration’s version of facts rather than the BBC-like reporting the world could once count on.
NO one is more responsible than Kari Lake. While it is true that she isn’t necessarily responsible for the cuts, she could have successfully argued that cutting the VOA does nothing but make us weaker (Trump always responds to arguments as to what is “strong”). She could have implemented them in a way that makes us able to still get the American version of international events out, even if the world saw them as slanted to Trump’s position.
It is all just so awful. We are on the brink of war with Iran, and even IF one wanted war – and no one should – you want a means to communicate with the people being bombed in order to facilitate a potential beneficial overthrow. It is – as noted – just awful. We will again be making the argument that demographics are on our side for quite some time.
Tragically ironic.
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She’s too busy trying to get back that stolen election. Expecting ANYTHING good to come out of this cult member is asking pigs to fly.
Better they have no ‘Voice Of America’ than a ‘Fox News version’ of it.
There is still the BBC DW and The Guardian.