{"id":124094,"date":"2025-01-29T18:42:17","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T15:42:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/124094\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"european-federation-of-journalists-calls-on-donors-to-support-belarusian-media","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/124094\/","title":{"rendered":"European Federation of Journalists calls on donors to support Belarusian media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Illustration photo (Global Look Press)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

January 29, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Dozens of independent media outlets in more than 30 countries may face financial problems following the suspension of aid programs by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It mentioned Belarusian media in exile among those that had found themselves in a vulnerable position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EFJ noted that US aid programs aimed to strengthen journalistic professionalism, develop media management skills and promote free and independent media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is calling on all potential European donors to take action to compensate for the US withdrawal, in particular to ensure the survival of Ukrainian media, the network of Belarusian journalists in exile and media programmes in Kosovo,” the statement reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EFJ President Maja Sever stressed that US President Donald Trump was determined to align the US foreign aid apparatus with his “America First” agenda, causing chaos in the media ecosystem of over thirty countries worldwide, including in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We call on European institutions and foundations to mobilise and coordinate their actions to safeguard media pluralism and support independent journalism as the best antidote to disinformation. The European Union and other donors cannot abandon to their fate journalists who are the best bulwark for defending the rule of law and democracy in countries where they are under threat,” Sever said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On January 21, Trump signed an executive order suspending almost all US foreign aid programs, but a US judge temporarily halted it a week later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian media in exile often face financial problems. On January 29, it emerged that the Obychnoye Utro<\/em> media project may wind down its business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In November 2024, Malanka Media<\/em> asked for financial aid to resume the work of its website. A fundraiser was launched on the Belarus Solidarity Foundation web page. The editors of the Novy \u010cas<\/em> website also asked for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many independent media have faced financial problems since the beginning of 2024, including KYKY, Reform, Belsat, Plan B, EX-PRESS<\/em> and the Belarusian service of the Polish Radio Wnet<\/em>, which eventually ceased operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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