Description: Independent media outlets across the globe have reacted to the freezing of USAID media funds and urged the public it could lead to severe surge in disinformation campaigns and public opinion manipulation. Reporters without borders, OCCRP, and other media outlets worldwide had to cut employees and other funding since the seizure of capital from the USAID. The organization dissolvement campaign led by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk led to seizure of funding not only to media outlets but also to various humanitarian and charity organizations which facilitated much needed assistance worldwide. Trump and Musk labelled USAID a criminal organization used for propaganda and funding of terrorist and radical organizations.
Impact: Although somewhat legitimate, the dissolution of USAID could severely impact several socio – economic sectors globally with humanitarian and charity aid topping the lists. The media funding seizure could be substantially used by US adversaries such as China and Russia since a financial vacuum would implode which could be used for China and Russia to launch their own disinformation and public opinion manipulation campaigns. Media outlets in countries with suppressive regimes such as Iran, Belarus, Afghanistan, Hungary would experience even less transparency and freedom of expression as those governments would hold a monopoly over journalism. The closing of USAID would be in large part used by China and Russia since disinformation campaigns represent an integral part of the hybrid war attempts against Europe and the US.