"Organisations that take extreme risks to document atrocities, corruption and war crimes fear for their future after USAid cuts." (Introduction)

"Donald Trump’s foreign aid freeze will lead to a decline in the number ofindependent media outlets across the world, causing a surge in misinformation andplaying into the hands of state propagandists, media organisations have warned. The US president has suspended billions of dollars in projects ... supported by USAid, including more than $268m (£216m) allocated to support “independent media andthe free flow of information”. A USAID factsheet, accessed by the press freedom campaign group ReportersWithout Borders (RSF) before being taken offl ine, showed that in 2023 the US agency funded training and support for 6,200 journalists, assisted 707 non-state newsoutlets and supported 279 civil-society organisations dedicated to strengtheningindependent media in more than 30 countries, including Iran, Afghanistan and Russia. RSF said Trump’s decision had sowed “chaos and confusion”. Clayton Weimers, executive director of RSF US, said: “Non-profi t newsroom and media organisationshave already had to cease operations and lay off staff . The most likely scenario isthat after the 90-day freeze, they will disappear for ever.” more