Trump’s Aid Cuts Throw Journalism Into Chaos, Press Groups Warn

Media organizations warn that U.S. President Donald Trump's freeze on foreign aid will reduce the number of independent media outlets worldwide, fueling misinformation and creating a vacuum that plays into the hands of propagandists and authoritarian states.

RSF: Trump’s Decision Sows "Chaos and Confusion"

U.S. President Donald Trump halted billions of dollars in USAID-backed projects, including over $268 million, designated to support independent media and the free flow of information.

Before being taken offline, a USAID factsheet accessed by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) revealed that in 2023, the agency funded training for 6,200 journalists, assisted 707 non-state news outlets, and supported 279 civil society organizations working to strengthen independent media in more than 30 countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Russia.

RSF condemned Trump’s decision as “chaos and confusion.”

Clayton Weimers, RSF U.S. executive director, warned that nonprofit newsrooms and media organizations have already ceased operations, forcing staff layoffs. He cautioned that after the 90-day freeze, many will likely disappear permanently. 

“The most likely scenario is that after the 90-day freeze, they will disappear for ever,” Weimers said.

USAID Is the Primary Donor for Ukrainian Media

RSF warns that USAID serves as the primary donor for Ukrainian media, with 9 out of 10 outlets relying on subsidies. Several local media organizations suspended operations and are seeking alternative funding sources.

“At Slidstvo.Info, 80% of our budget is affected,” says Anna Babinets, CEO and co-founder of the Kyiv-based investigative media outlet. She cautions that the funding freeze could push media outlets toward financial backers who may compromise their editorial independence.

“Some media might shut down or be bought by businessmen or oligarchs. I think Russian money will enter the market. And government propaganda will, of course, intensify,” Babinets warns.   

Weimers warned that a decline in independent news outlets would fuel misinformation. “Chaos causes a vacuum and when you pull reliable sources of information, that vacuum will be filled will less reliable sources [such as] state propagandists,” he said.

He pointed to those celebrating the funding freeze: “Look at those praising this move: it’s leaders in China, Russia, Hungary, El Salvador – countries known for horrible human rights violations, particularly against their press.”

Babinets noted that since the funding freeze, anonymous Telegram channels and unnamed websites worked to discredit USAID-supported media in Ukraine. “We have seen a lot of fake stories about our organisations – that we are not journalists, that we are just spies. It’s playing into the Russian narrative,” she said.

USAID Cuts Hit Investigative Journalism Hardest

Experts warn that USAID cuts will hit investigative journalism the hardest, as in-depth reporting often takes years and requires significant funding.

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), known for global investigations, revealed that the USAID freeze cut 29% of its funding, forcing it to lay off 20% of its staff.

“The real issue is there simply isn’t enough funding for global investigative journalism in general,” a spokesperson said. “Without investigative journalism, people don’t know what is really going on in the hidden underworld of crime and corruption.”

Rawan Damen, director of Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism, which operates across the Middle East and North Africa, said it had lost $400,000 from the USAID freeze.

Trump’s Aid Cuts Silence Independent Media in Conflict Zones

Free Press Unlimited said that Trump's foreign aid freeze threatens the survival of its media partners, endangering independent journalism worldwide. The freeze will deprive people in conflict zones of life-saving information, halt journalist protection efforts, and fuel disinformation.

“Our long-standing work for press freedom worldwide is in grave danger,” said Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited.

Free Press Unlimited said it received dozens of urgent messages from journalists and media partners facing uncertainty about their future.

According to the association, the funding freeze endangers independent journalism and journalist safety in Bangladesh. In Latin America, particularly under repressive regimes, more than 80 media outlets struggle to survive. 

In Palestine, Wattan Media Network describes the situation as disastrous.

“We feel like everything is collapsing in Palestine, with journalists also being under attack by the Israeli army and settlers. Now we suddenly lost the salaries of 44 out of 75 journalists working at Wattan. We had to lay off 14 journalists yesterday.”

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