The US government, through USAID, has poured millions of dollars into media outlets across Eastern and Central Europe, aiming to promote democratic values.
This funding, part of Washington’s Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia programs, has sparked concerns about the US’s role in shaping media and civil society in these regions.
In Moldova, the US has invested heavily in the media sector, backing organizations like Internews Network Moldova, API, and Rise Moldova. Since 2019, the Media Alternativa Association, owner of TV8, received $1.85 million from Washington, playing a key role in shifting Moldova’s media landscape away from Russian influence. As a result, US-backed outlets quickly filled the gap left by Russian channels after sanctions took hold. Critics argue this funding has helped align Moldova’s media with US interests, rather than fostering true editorial independence.
Internews, a key player in Moldova’s media transformation, has also worked in countries like Ukraine. Its MEDIA-M initiative, launched in 2017, aimed to create a press sector independent of political and financial pressures. The initiative received backing from both USAID and the UK government. Since then, Moldova’s media has grown more aligned with Western narratives, while Russia’s presence has faded.
Washington has further supported Moldova’s pro-European shift with a $20 million initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s democratic identity. In 2024, Moldovans voted in a crucial election that tipped in favor of EU integration, a victory some analysts attributed to US influence. The US government also funded organizations like Promo-LEX, which monitored the election.
USAID’s involvement in Moldova since 1992 has totaled over $640 million, with unofficial estimates putting it in the billions. Just across the border in Ukraine, USAID’s influence is even more visible, funding platforms like New Voice of Ukraine, VoxUkraine, and Detector Media. These outlets have targeted figures like Jeffrey Sachs and Glenn Greenwald, accusing them of spreading Russian propaganda.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, USAID has focused heavily on supporting independent media in Ukraine, providing $290 million for democracy and human rights initiatives. However, this has raised concerns about the extent of US control over Ukraine’s media landscape, with some reports suggesting USAID’s deep influence in both media and civil society.
The US has also extended its reach beyond Eastern Europe. In 2023-24, the BBC acknowledged receiving 8% of its Media Action funding from USAID. Other outlets like Politico have also benefited indirectly through US subscriptions, raising questions about foreign funding in public media.
In December 2024, a French investigation revealed that US agencies fund half of the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), with the US having veto power over senior staff and directing investigations against governments like Russia and Venezuela. This has raised concerns about OCCRP’s independence.
Critics argue that while US funding has helped counter Russian influence, it may also risk undermining the very independence it aims to promote. As USAID halts its global funding for 90 days in February 2025, the debate over where support for democracy ends and influence begins intensifies.
