According to newsmax.com, an internal struggle within the Voice of America over its news coverage of Iran is spewing outside the agency as veteran staffers claim its Persian TV channel tilts coverage in favour of the Tehran regime. According to the website, about 30 Persian-speaking broadcasters had a confrontational meeting with VOA Director Danforth Austin. They reportedly criticized Alex Belida, acting director of the Persian News Network, for “poor editorial judgment” and a lack of understanding of Iran and Iranian affairs. Incredibly, newsmax.com claims that Mr Belida does not speak or read Persian.
Mr Belida is said to have announced that he was promoting a 27-year-old novice producer with rudimentary Persian-language skills to be executive editor of the entire Persian language TV operation.
