USAID was funding over 6,200 journalists across 707 media outlets and 279 "media" NGOs, including nine out of ten media outlets in Ukraine.https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/1887501752213409919
USAID programs support independent media in more than 30 countries, but it is difficult to assess the full extent of the harm done to the global media. Many organizations are hesitant to draw attention for fear of risking long-term funding or coming under political attacks. According to a USAID fact sheet which has since been taken offline, in 2023, the agency funded training and support for 6,200 journalists, assisted 707 non-state news outlets, and supported 279 media-sector civil society organizations dedicated to strengthening independent media. The 2025 foreign aid budget included $268,376,000 allocated by Congress to support “independent media and the free flow of information.”https://rsf.org/en/usa-trump-s-foreign-aid-freeze-throws-journalism-around-world-chaos
If China supported independent media and journalists around the world in same way, would we still call it independent media? If Russia supported independent media and journalists around the world in same way, would we still call it independent media? USA support independent media and journalists around the world, yet we call them independent media, why?
A case of, if our side does it its good, if the other side does it, its bad.
#Media #Independent #Journalists #Funding
