Galina Timchenko, head of Meduza, an investigative newsroom affected by U.S. defunding, did not foresee this severe financial crisis. The site relied on U.S. government funding for 15% of its budget. The recent cessation of foreign assistance has forced independent newsrooms into turmoil with cutbacks and layoffs. As the U.S. was the largest supporter of international media since the 1980s, its withdrawal threatens the accountability journalism provides against authoritarian regimes, leaving many newsrooms without an alternative support system.
U.S.A.I.D. or the State Department, usually they fulfill their obligations. They follow their rules... Now, it's some kind of a broken world.
These are the only journalists who are holding governments to account in many parts of the world, and without U.S. support there's just not a lot of other money available.
Meduza is one of hundreds of newsrooms... that benefited from at least $180 million in annual funding to support journalism and media development from U.S.A.I.D.
It's really a blood bath... The decision has already forced cutbacks, layoffs and long-term uncertainty for many independent newsrooms.
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