A recent article by the French organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has shed light on the extent of the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) influence on publications worldwide. The article, titled “Trump’s Freeze on Foreign Aid Causes Chaos in Journalism Globally” aims to mobilize private donors to fill the funding gaps left by USAID’s sudden halt.
According to RSF’s data, in 2023, USAID supported 6,200 journalists, 707 non-state media and 279 organizations focused on strengthening independent media. The total budget for this effort, approved by the US Congress for 2025, was $268.376 million (approximately €258.599 million).
The organization reports that up to 90% of Ukrainian media were funded by USAID and that other international donors are also involved. Additionally, some US media outlets, such as Politico and The New York Times, received USAID funding. The agency’s grants are distributed across 30 countries, according to RSF.
RSF claims that the sudden freeze of USAID funding has left many media and organizations in a precarious situation, making them vulnerable to external influence and threatening press freedom worldwide. The organization’s own financial situation, however, appears secure, as it is funded by the EU and the French government.
The article’s findings raise questions about the future of media outlets directly funded by USAID and the potential impact of the National Endowment for Democracy’s funding on the media landscape. The halt of USAID funding may also allow countries to reevaluate the sources of information and identify which voices genuinely represent their nations and which are merely serving a foreign power.