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The “Authoritarian Utopia”: The impact of funding cuts on independent media

Jos Midas Bartman, Evelien Wijkstra

Free Press Unlimited (2026), 23 pp.

"Recent reports by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2026) and Article 19 (2026) on the impact of U.S. funding cuts, laid bare some of the most direct consequences of the U.S. funding cuts. They reported that the median grantee of their survey respondents lost about 35 to 40 percent of ... annual revenue for the year 2025. That number makes sense in light of the fact that the U.S. government cut at least $1.7 billion worth of freedom of expression programmes. This number was reported when some of the terminations were still unfolding. This is largely in line with our own findings, more than a year after the cuts. Out of the 57 surveyed partners, 37 percent reported budget cuts of 26-50 percent and 26 percent reported budget cuts of more than 50 percent Unfortunately, the abrupt and devastating level of the cuts have also led to media outlets and media support organisations ceasing operations. For this research we have not collected data on this but we are aware of several examples such as the closing of our Ukrainian partner, media outlet Zaborona, caused by the cessation of support of both the US and UK governments. Zaborona was an independent media outlet specialized in long-form, analytical reporting. The long-term political and geopolitical consequences of the U.S. governement funding cuts are still unfolding, but some of the medium-term effects are already visible. In the Philippines for example, disinformation has been able to flow more uncontrolled and narratives that support Chinese claims to the South China Sea have been diffusing more rapidly. Partners in Venezuela reported on how RT Academy provides training in several African countries, Argentina, Mexico and Cuba as an indirect way to approach people who can help amplify pro-Russian narratives in each of those countries, make friends and improve RT’s credibility. This report lays bare similar worrying but expected developments. Our survey shows unequivocally that where independent media decline, authoritarian interests fill the vacuum. Partners have reported on this dynamic across different continents. The boundary between domestic politics and international relations shows to be thin as well in this regard. In Pakistan for example, our partners report that China’s ability and assertiveness in trying to export its governance model have increased. Pakistani media organizations have been open about their recent collaboration with the Chinese embassy and the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Authoritarian governments, such as Pakistan’s military elite, are unlikely to push back against these dynamics. [...] The same political actors who increasingly argue that international cooperation must be more interest driven should recognise that independent media serve precisely those interests. Where independent journalism collapses, corruption becomes harder to expose, authoritarian influence becomes easier to project, disinformation spreads with fewer constraints, and democratic allies become weaker. The vacuum is not neutral: it is filled by actors whose interests often run directly counter to those of the European Union. For Europe, the question is therefore not whether it can afford to support independent media globally. The question is whether it can afford not to. If the EU wants to remain a credible geopolitical actor, preserve its normative influence, strengthen democratic partners, and counter authoritarian interference, then support for independent media must be treated as strategic infrastructure: as essential to democratic resilience as election support, rule-of-law programming, anti-corruption work or cyber defence." (Executive summary, pages 4-5) more

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Trauma‑Sensitive Reporting: Basics of Understanding Trauma‑Informed Journalism. Tipsheets for Reporters
Key Guides

Rouba El Helou

Free Press Unlimited (2026), 38 pp.

"Trauma-informed practices first emerged in the medical field, as the medical community began to understand psychological trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD. Despite the novelty of the term, covering traumatic events, such as natural disasters, sexual assault, homicides, and wars, has al ... more

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Mental health in Latin American journalists: Psycho-social impact and protective factors. A preliminary overview

Paloma Lainz, Adamantia Lampouka

Amsterdam; Mexico, DF: Free Press Unlimited; National Autonomous University of Mexico, Faculty of Psychology (2025), 33 pp.

"This report presents preliminary results from an online survey of 282 journalists across 18 countries, with a qualitative phase planned to deepen these insights. Our focus was on symptoms related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and burnout, as well as organizational a ... more

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Fighting Misinformation Helps Social Cohesion and Early Recovery in Syria

Amsterdam: Free Press Unlimited (2024), 7 pp.

"By preserving independence, Syrian media is trusted to promote dialogue, providing a platform for diverse voices and fosters a culture of critical thinking and public debate, the media acts as a catalyst for inclusive recovery and sustainable development. It lays the groundwork for a resilient, dem ... more

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Media Freedom in Romania Ahead of Super Election Year: Mission Report on Media Capture, Legal Obstacles and Journalists’ Safety

Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR); International Press Institute (IPI); Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT); Free Press Unlimited (2024), 24 pp.

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Safety policy: Creating a safe working environment for journalists

Amsterdam: Free Press Unlimited (2024), 13 pp.

"In the next five years, Free Press Unlimited will work towards the following five goals to enhance the safety of media professionals: 1. Media professionals supported by Free Press Unlimited programmes are able to deal effectively with interference and threats at a physical, digital, legal and psy ... more

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Restricciones a la libertad de prensa y asfixia mediática en el contexto electoral en Venezuela

Freedom House; Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP); Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); Fundamedios; IFEX-ALC; Reporters Without Borders; Free Press Unlimited; Voces del Sur (2024), 26 pp.

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Partnership Approaches for Press Freedom: Best Practices for ‘Localisation’ and ‘In-Country Ownership’
Deep Insights

Amsterdam: Free Press Unlimited (2024), 41 pp.

"We summarise here the most important recommendations for ‘localisation’ in partnership approaches and developing in-country ownership: - The power dynamics of funding streams: Partners in fragile countries struggling for (economic) survival sometimes feel compelled to agree to projects designs ... that do not match their needs. Funding streams from international implementers of projects and donor requirements by country donors and private foundations create power imbalances that need to be constantly reviewed and mitigated against. In an era of shrinking civic space, international organisations often become focused on the competition for donor funding too much. Accepting donor's views and its language can be a spoiler of trust between international organisations and in-country organisations if it does not match local needs. Saying ‘no’ can be healthy to contest ill-conceived funding. Power dynamics are not always about money, but also about (un)healthy relationships, shared knowledge and genuine interest in each other’s skills, capacity and knowledge. We need to stay sensitive regarding cultural norms and views on the role of journalists in fragile countries. Within programmes there is space for sharing responsibility more. Co-design and co-ownership requires constant attention. - Words matter in relationships with partners, be sensitive and self-reflective: This is exemplified by the frequent use of words as ‘local’, ‘southern’, ‘poor countries’ which are perceived by in-country organisations as belittling and discriminatory. Even the word 'localisation' itself is contested but we use it here as the international discussion frames it in the current discussions about Aid Infrastructure. Toxic and/or colonial vocabulary is mentioned repeatedly by partners and colleagues as a risk for an equal relationship. By contrast Free Press Unlimited should be conscious of such mechanisms, and continuously develop a glossary which radiates equity and equality and keep discussing it as language evolves. - Long term investment is needed for leadership and in-country ownership: Local ownership and autonomy requires investment in in-country organisations and its key staff. But ‘localisation’ is not an end in itself. It is a means to make credible trusted information available in various contexts as delivered by professional in-country media actors. Sometimes a local set-up is required to facilitate growth of country organisations and fostering local leadership. In the discussion about ‘localisation’ there is a trend visible where international organisations are setting up local offices to follow the ‘money going south’. This is not a positive trend and also not a solution to empower in-country organisations, and Free Press Unlimited tries to stay away from copying it. - Address global issues within the partnerships, it has added value for partners: In-country organisations in conflict prone and repressive societies are busy with survival. International organisations such as Free Press Unlimited can bring in expertise and perspectives from other regions and countries to overcome such divisional aspects of various in-country contexts. Free Press Unlimited is able to convene, help bridge divides and build coalitions, by bringing in counterparts in the same situation. But it is not just about learning and project design but also about the reflective nature of advocacy rooted in in-country contexts. Free Press Unlimited’s advocacy strategy sources its legitimacy in partners and their context and entertains a do-no-harm policy towards her partners. - Use the relationships with donors to ensure better value for partners: Free Press Unlimited’s positive experiences with seed money and finding donors for it, is an important contribution to partners and allies. It is often more challenging for in-country organisations to find a seat at the table of donors, and they often lack the multifaceted access to donors. Money is important, but belief in a free press and free access to information is more critical in reaching the goals of FPU. FPU must never replace "propagating" its ethos with looking for money for partners. - Articulate your powers better and do not shy away from using them for public good: International press freedom organisations have power and they should use it for the benefit of the global press- and media freedom community. Relinquishing that power in the face of shrinking space, also towards donors can help Free Press Unlimited to remain bold, ambitious and table the discussion about the positive power for good that international organisations have and can put to use for the benefit of all." (Executive summary, pp. 6-7) more

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Syria Audience Research Study

Free Press Unlimited (2023), iv, 70 pp.

"The key findings suggest that Syrians continue to adopt social media and social messaging apps as the primary channels through which they access news. They appreciate the privacy of messaging apps for communication with friends and family, and check the credibility of news stories with friends, fam ... more

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SACMID Evaluation: An Evaluation of SACMID’s Activities Within the PRIMED Project

Paco Mens, Akriti Saraswat

Free Press Unlimited (2023), 16 pp. + annexes

"The South Asia Center for Media in Development (SACMID), addresses gender disparity both within the workplace and media content. Its main focus is utilizing the Gender Media Monitoring Tool to tackle these issues. The data collected through media monitoring is subsequently employed for advocacy ini ... more

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Informe de hallazgos de la misión internacional sobre libertad de prensa y de expresión en Guatemala

Freedom House; Free Press Unlimited; Reporteros sin Fronteras; Article 19; Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP) (2023), 37 pp.

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Fight for Press Freedom. Strategic Framework: Free Press Unlimited 2023-2026

Amsterdam: Free Press Unlimited (2023), 16 pp.

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Relocation of journalists in distress in the European Union: Emergency visa mechanisms in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Poland

Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR); European Centre for Press & Media Freedom (ECPMF); Free Press Unlimited (2023), 24 pp.

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The murder of Gerry Ortega: Justice delayed, justice denied

Jos Midas Bartman

Free Press Unlimited; Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); Reporters Without Borders (2022), 30 pp.

"The murder of Gerry Ortega is indicative of structural problems concerning the safety of journalists in the Philippines; while the hitmen are often arrested, the powerful masterminds behind the killings of journalists often evade justice. Gerry Ortega was a prominent broadcast journalist and enviro ... more

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Exile Media: Mapping the Challenges Faced by Independent Media in Exile

Tim Schoot Uiterkamp (ed.)

Free Press Unlimited (2022), 18 pp.

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Estudio de mercado y audiencias de medios de comunicación en América Central: Nicaragua

Proyecto VIMES; Free Press Unlimited; A-01 (2022), 67 pp.

"Esta publicación presenta información sobre el mercado de los medios de comunicación en Nicaragua, sobre cómo la población los percibe y cuáles son los hábitos de la audiencia en el consumo de la información. Además, ofrece recomendaciones para mejorar la viabilidad de los medios [...] Los ... more

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Viabilidade da mídia: Consultas nacionais sobre soluções para promoção e preservação de sua independência. Brasil, El Salvador, Indonésia, Jamaica, Líbano, Namíbia, Nigéria, Paquistão, Senegal e Tunísia

Brasilia: UNESCO; Free Press Unlimited (2022), 32 pp.

"Este relatório fornece transcrições resumidas de consultas nacionais sobre a viabilidade da mídia com as partes interessadas no setor dos meios de comunicação. As consultas nacionais são baseadas nas trocas de conhecimento e pesquisas proporcionadas pela UNESCO e pela The Economist Intellige ... more

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Telling the Story: Remembering Elisabeth Blanche Olofio

Jules Swinkels

Free Press Unlimited; Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); Reporters Without Borders (2022), 33 pp.

"Elisabeth Blanche Olofio’s reporting exposed local corruption and human rights abuses in the Central African Republic, providing her community with crucial information on the ongoing rebel advance at the time. On 5 January 2013, she was severely beaten, tortured and raped by Séléka rebels in he ... more

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Improving Monitoring for Crimes Against Journalists: Report on Monitoring Workshop

Manizja Aziz, Leon Willems

Free Press Unlimited (2022), 10 pp.

"This report is part of a UNESCO-financed project entitled “Improving monitoring for crimes against journalists”, which fits into the framework of the wider SDG 2030 Agenda. The first pillar of this project was a survey and in-depth interviews with civil society organisations involved in monitor ... more

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Estudio de mercado y audiencias de medios de comunicación en América Central: Informe comparativo

Proyecto VIMES; Free Press Unlimited; A-01 (2022), 60 pp.

"Los medios investigados en este estudio llegan más que todo a una población de mayor poder adquisitivo y niveles académicos que buscan un periodismo serio, investigativo, de calidad. Es una audiencia bastante involucrada con el medio. Le gusta a esa audiencia sentirse parte del medio de comunica ... more

Trauma‑Sensitive Reporting: Basics of Understanding Trauma‑Informed Journalism. Tipsheets for Reporters Key Guides

Partnership Approaches for Press Freedom: Best Practices for ‘Localisation’ and ‘In-Country Ownership’ Deep Insights

Trauma‑Sensitive Reporting: Basics of Understanding Trauma‑Informed Journalism. Tipsheets for Reporters
Key Guides

Partnership Approaches for Press Freedom: Best Practices for ‘Localisation’ and ‘In-Country Ownership’
Deep Insights