A new investigation has shed light on the controversial role of USAID in funding media and journalism worldwide. This issue has gained even more attention following Donald Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid funds, including those intended to support media organizations.
USAID: An Investor in “Independent” Journalism?
Over the past years, USAID has funded:
- More than 6,000 journalists
- Around 700 independent newsrooms
- Nearly 300 civil society organizations focused on media across more than 30 countries
Investigative journalist Lee Fang has exposed how USAID funds have often been channeled through organizations such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), influencing editorial decisions and news content. In some cases, reports suggest that U.S. funding has directly impacted media organizations’ editorial choices.
Examples of USAID’s Influence on Media
Several media organizations have benefited from USAID funding, including:
- Coda Story, a New York-based outlet that received funding to “combat Russian disinformation.”
- The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), known for exposing scandals such as the Panama Papers, which received $11 million in U.S. government funds.
- Internews, an organization operating in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, which is almost entirely reliant on USAID funding.
USAID’s Role in Albanian Media
Although Albania is not specifically mentioned in international reports, the country has received millions of euros for “independent journalism.” A select group of media outlets and journalists have benefited from USAID funding, purportedly to promote press freedom and high-quality journalism. However, in practice, editorial independence in Albania remains highly debatable.
According to sources, several organizations linked to the media sector have received large sums for training and projects, yet the effectiveness of these initiatives remains questionable. Institutions such as the Media Institute and some well-known journalists regularly appearing on TV have been recipients of these funds, while government influence over media remains a major concern.
Is an Era Ending?
The withdrawal of USAID from media funding is directly affecting the survival of many newsrooms that have depended on these funds. This presents a crucial moment to determine whether so-called independent media can survive without external funding or if they will turn to other sources, including Albanian government support or new international donors.
At the moment, the U.S. has frozen more than $268 million in funds intended for global journalism support, raising questions about USAID’s role in shaping a truly independent and unbiased media landscape. If these funds are not restored, many “independent” media outlets may be forced to reassess their financial models.
Is this the end of an era for Western-sponsored journalism? Or will new models emerge to sustain true media independence? The coming months will be crucial in determining the future of global press freedom.