A viral post on social media has reignited debate over government influence in journalism, claiming that several major news outlets including The New York Times, Politico, Reuters, and the Associated Press received millions in funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The post alleged this amounted to " state-sponsored narrative control ," with a combined $116 million in taxpayer funds directed at legacy media organisations.
According to records from USAspending.gov and statements from the media outlets involved, the reality is more nuanced. While various government agencies have engaged financially with these outlets, most of the funds were not direct grants but payments for subscriptions or contracts with affiliate services.
For instance, The New York Times clarified that federal funds it received were for subscriptions purchased by US government offices, including arrangements that provide military personnel and their families access to the paper. The Times insisted it has received no federal grants, and that subscription revenue from the government accounts for less than 0.1% of its annual income.
Similarly, Politico stated it had not received direct government funding. The $32 million figure cited in the post refers to contracts for Politico Pro, a premium policy news service used by various agencies. After criticism, NASA reportedly cancelled its subscriptions to the outlet. A White House spokesperson confirmed that more than $8 million in subscriptions were cut as part of broader government efficiency efforts.
Reuters faced scrutiny over a $9 million payment from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). However, the money went to a separate subsidiary, Thomson Reuters Special Services, which provides data analysis not journalistic content. Reuters emphasised that its newsroom operates independently under strict editorial guidelines.
The Associated Press also responded, denying any funding from USAID. It acknowledged the US government has been a longstanding subscriber but insisted that no money influenced its editorial output.
The BBC’s situation involves its charitable arm, BBC Media Action, which previously received around £2.6 million from USAID for journalism training abroad. The main BBC News division remains editorially separate and says it receives no USAID funding.
According to records from USAspending.gov and statements from the media outlets involved, the reality is more nuanced. While various government agencies have engaged financially with these outlets, most of the funds were not direct grants but payments for subscriptions or contracts with affiliate services.
For instance, The New York Times clarified that federal funds it received were for subscriptions purchased by US government offices, including arrangements that provide military personnel and their families access to the paper. The Times insisted it has received no federal grants, and that subscription revenue from the government accounts for less than 0.1% of its annual income.
Similarly, Politico stated it had not received direct government funding. The $32 million figure cited in the post refers to contracts for Politico Pro, a premium policy news service used by various agencies. After criticism, NASA reportedly cancelled its subscriptions to the outlet. A White House spokesperson confirmed that more than $8 million in subscriptions were cut as part of broader government efficiency efforts.
Reuters faced scrutiny over a $9 million payment from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). However, the money went to a separate subsidiary, Thomson Reuters Special Services, which provides data analysis not journalistic content. Reuters emphasised that its newsroom operates independently under strict editorial guidelines.
The Associated Press also responded, denying any funding from USAID. It acknowledged the US government has been a longstanding subscriber but insisted that no money influenced its editorial output.
The BBC’s situation involves its charitable arm, BBC Media Action, which previously received around £2.6 million from USAID for journalism training abroad. The main BBC News division remains editorially separate and says it receives no USAID funding.
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