Scrutiny Over "A Present for Dictators": Amidst Russian Deception, Freezing of American Aid Leaves Numerous Media Organizations Vulnerable
Independent Russian-language media outlet, Meduza, based in Riga, Latvia, has faced a series of challenges. Four years ago, they were labeled as a foreign agent, which severely impacted their business model. The invasion of Ukraine followed, and then Meduza was declared undesirable in Russia, making it illegal in the eyes of the Kremlin. Apart from donations, Meduza has also relied on the support of organizations defending freedom of expression, aided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). However, the dismantling of this support, orchestrated by the Trump administration, has put Meduza in a critical situation, with a loss of about 20% of their annual budget.
In just one month, the new U.S. administration decided to freeze international aid and then cut 83% of USAID's foreign funding. These abrupt cuts put an entire ecosystem of independent media at risk, from Ukraine to Georgia. Journalists and media outlets were caught off guard by the sudden cuts. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, Jeanne Cavelier, recounts receiving countless emails from media outlets facing crises on an unprecedented scale.
At Meduza, the founder told Jeanne Cavelier that it's the biggest crisis they've ever faced. The newsroom had to lay off 15% of its staff, reduce salaries by 8%, while trying to maintain the quality of their coverage. "It's tough for those who remain. People are exhausted," says Katerina Abramova. Thanks to crowdfunding, Meduza hopes to stay afloat at least until the end of the year. The future remains uncertain.
In Ukraine, where nearly 90% of its media depend on grants, many journalists predict "catastrophic" consequences for their media. Anna Babinets, co-founder and director of the Ukrainian investigative journalism website Slidstvo.info, estimates that American aid represented 82% of their media's budget at the beginning of the year. The freezing of this funding has forced reductions in publications, collaborations with journalists in several regions of Ukraine, and has left two positions vacant. If they don't find other funding by autumn, many media will have to partially stop their activities. More media will have to close. It's an unprecedented crisis.
Local and regional media are paying the price in Ukraine. On average, 44% of their revenues depended on American funds. In the eastern and southern parts of the country, budget cuts are a very big problem. Without independent journalism, corruption will increase. Certain regions have become information black holes with the Russian invasion. Information is vital in war-torn countries, and this sudden stop in funding threatens to eliminate reliable information in areas not covered by other media.
In Moldova, international aid has contributed to the development of the investigative newspaper Ziarul de Garda (ZdG), now the most popular publication in the country. American funding has allowed ZdG to investigate Russian influence networks and Russia's efforts to compromise the fall elections. Without this aid, they would not have been able to do this investigative work. A 40% loss in their salary budget since funding was frozen has led to personal online attacks and intimidation of reporters.
Facing an emergency, the Kyiv Independent launched a crowdfunding campaign for three media outlets covering regions near the frontline. The fundraiser provided temporary relief to Gwara Media in Kharkiv. However, the news was already bad, with the meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in Washington in late February, during which the American president rebuked his Ukrainian counterpart. In Slovakia, the pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico has already congratulated Elon Musk on the dismantling of USAID.
Without these media, this space will be occupied by Russian propaganda and pro-government media, in countries led by Trump disciples. The freezing of Western aid can mean the end of journalism in the Caucasus. The situation underscores how aid cuts to media amplify authoritarian information warfare during active conflicts and democratic transitions.
- Meduza, a Russian-language independent news outlet, faces its biggest crisis yet due to abrupt cuts in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), resulting in layoffs, salary reductions, and uncertain future.
- In Ukraine, nearly 90% of its media depend on grants, and the freezing of American aid has forced reductions in publications, collaborations, and leaves many media outlets at risk of closure if they don't find other funding by autumn.
- In Moldova, investigative newspaper Ziarul de Garda (ZdG) has relied on American funding for its operations, allowing them to investigate Russian influence networks and compromise efforts in elections. However, a 40% loss in their salary budget since funding was frozen has led to personal attacks and intimidation of reporters.
- The freezing of Western aid can mean the end of journalism in the Caucasus, while the absence of independent media could pave the way for Russian propaganda and pro-government media in regions led by Trump disciples, amplifying authoritarian information warfare during active conflicts and democratic transitions.
