NR-insights: The USAID Freeze

The discussion will take place in English. We warmly welcome everyone interested to join and take part in this important exchange.
Die Diskussion findet auf Englisch statt. Wir laden alle Interessierten herzlich ein, an diesem wichtigen Austausch teilzunehmen.
Register now /Jetzt anmelden: https://nrch.de/gijninsights 

As the Trump administration has frozen an estimated $268 million in agreed grants for independent media and the free flow of information in more than 30 countries, the nonprofit investigative journalism sector has been thrown into a deep crisis. Numerous reporters, contractors, and accountability projects are without pay and independent nonprofit media around the globe suddenly find themselves at the center of a perfect storm of new existential threats. 

This development goes way beyond news outlets in lower income countries — it affects the landscape of investigative journalism everywhere, even in countries with a relatively stable journalism industry like Germany.

In light of recent developments, Netzwerk Recherche and the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) invite you to a timely and urgent discussion on the ramifications of the USAID funding freeze and what it means for investigative journalism across the globe. With three experts from different organisations, we will raise the following questions:

• How does the USAID freeze impact investigative outlets in various regions?
• Why does this affect even the journalism landscape in countries like Germany?
• What are the consequences for independent and nonprofit news organizations?
• How will this development change the world of investigative journalism in general?
• How does the budget cut impact press freedom?
• What are possible solutions to this funding crisis?

Speakers:

Emilia Díaz-Struck is the executive director of the Global Investigative Journalism Network. She was formerly data and research editor and Latin American coordinator at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). For over a decade, Díaz-Struck took part in more than 20 ICIJ award-winning investigative collaborations, including: Offshore Leaks, Implant Files, FinCEN Files, Pandora Papers, and the Pulitzer-winning Panama Papers. As part of her collaborative efforts, she has worked with journalists in more than 110 countries and territories.

Mira Milosevic is the Executive Director of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD). She leads GFMD’s engagement with the United Nations, the Internet Governance Forum, and other multilateral institutions, advocating for the sustainability of journalism and independent news media. She also spearheads GFMD’s international initiatives to strengthen press freedom and improve the global information ecosystem. A frequent writer and speaker, Mira focuses on the intersection of media, economy, technology, and human rights. She sits on numerous high-level expert bodies, including at the UN, OSCE, and other global processes, where she contributes to policy discussions on media sustainability, press freedom, and the evolving information landscape.

Florence Wild joined CORRECTIV in September 2022 and since then has been responsible for building the partnerships team. As Chief Development Officer & Member of the Managing Board Florence is part of the leadership team and is responsible for the sustainable growth of CORRECTIV and the diversification of the funding model. Her responsibilities include working with funding partners, individual and major donor fundraising, external communications, strategic partnerships and networking in Germany and internationally. Even before her role at CORRECTIV, she was committed to strengthening non-profit and independent journalism.

Sarah Ulrich is a freelance journalist and investigative reporter. Her work focuses on abuse of power, right-wing (and far-right) networks, and gender-based violence. Ulrich has reported from various regions around the world, including Ukraine, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Albania. She is a fellow of the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), Journalismfund, International Journalists‘ Programmes (IJP), among others. She has been awarded the BJV Press Freedom Prize and was named one of the Top 30 Journalists Under 30 in Germany as one of the most promising young journalists of her generation. Ulrich works as the German Editor for the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) / Netzwerk Recherche e.V.