The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, wrote that “VOA Persian needs to do a better job of countering Iranian disinformation and propaganda. This is a priority for the Trump administration, because supporting the Iranian people includes giving them access to independent and truthful reporting”. He went on to suggest that VOA Persian “create more original programming that actually resonates with Iranian audiences” and asserted that its “leadership needs to be more responsive and accountable”. Hook concluded his article by stating that “VOA Persian should be driving the news about human rights in Iran, corruption among the Iranian regime and analysis that counters propaganda rather than propagating it. If it can’t meet these standards – and soon – Congress should consider ending its funding and shutting down VOA Persian as a fiduciary duty to American taxpayers”.