Trump’s aid cuts will lead to a surge in propaganda and misinformation, say press freedom groups

<p>From Ukraine to Afghanistan, independent media organisations across the world are being forced to lay off staff or shut down after losing USAid funding</p><p>Donald Trump’s foreign aid freeze will lead to a decline in the number of independent media outlets across the world, causing a surge in misinformation and playing into the hands of state propagandists, media organisations have warned.</p><p>The US president has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/04/what-is-usaid-donald-trump-elon-musk-foreign-aid-freezes">suspended billions of dollars</a> in projects supported by USAid, including more than <a href="https://rsf.org/en/usa-trump-s-foreign-aid-freeze-throws-journalism-around-world-chaos">$268m</a> (£216m) allocated to support “independent media and the free flow of information”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/feb/11/trump-usaid-cuts-freeze-press-freedom-ukraine-afghanistan-media-rsf">Continue reading...</a>