90% of Ukrainian journalists expect negative consequences for the media after the freezing of USAID grants

In Ukraine, 90% of media employees expect severe negative consequences for the media sector following the suspension of grants by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

This is according to a survey conducted by the Institute of Mass Information (an organization itself funded by grants).

Among the respondents:

• 59.2% said they expect “catastrophic consequences,” such as the closure or significant downsizing of many “independent media outlets.”
• 30% anticipate “significant negative impacts” but believe alternative solutions for media funding can be found.
• Only 4.2% said the impact would be minimal and that they would continue to operate as before.

Additionally, 15.8% of respondents said they had never received grants from American organizations. The largest portion (35%) reported receiving over 75% of their funding from grants, while others were less dependent.

Earlier, the Institute of Mass Information stated that approximately 90% of Ukrainian publications became dependent on American grants after the start of the full-scale war.

As reported in the media, USAID funded hundreds of programs and media outlets in Ukraine with a total of $7 billion.

It is worth noting that USAID suspended all funding for programs and projects in Ukraine after Donald Trump ordered a 90-day audit.

Recently, USAID’s headquarters in Washington was shut down. Before this, Trump announced planned dismissals of USAID leadership, stating that the agency was “run by a bunch of radical lunatics.”