"The recent U.S. government decision to suspend foreign assistance has abruptly halted key grants and programmes that have been essential in sustaining global development, cooperation, and supporting international peace and security and human rights efforts worldwide, putting in jeopardy the ability of civil society organisations, NGOs, and governments to uphold the commitments agreed in the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. At a time when the protection of civic space and human rights is more vital than ever, the withdrawal of critical funding threatens media and journalism organisations' role in ensuring access to reliable information. Quoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “Without press freedom, we won’t have any freedom”. Journalism and independent media are essential pillars of democratic societies, yet they have been consistently underfunded and chronically undervalued. This has left the sector particularly vulnerable to shocks, making it difficult to recover from disruptions like the current funding crisis. Media development fosters transparency, accountability, and civic engagement, yet without sustained support, its role in global development and human rights is at risk. The funding gap exacerbates an already fragile situation, weakening media organisations' ability to respond to crises and fulfil their vital role in society. In line with the OECD Development Co-operation Principles on Relevant and Effective Support to Media and the Information Environment, we urge governments, donors, and stakeholders to take immediate action to address this crisis." (Page 1)