Termination notices and my epistemic insecurities

USAID implementing partners across the globe began receiving termination notices. For many independent newsrooms, survival may depend on how quickly they can rethinking strategies.

Let me start with the cold, hard facts: as of this week, USAID implementing partners across the globe began receiving termination notices, permanently shutting down some of the programs that supported independent media in over 30 countries.

If you were following the official communication channels of the world's most powerful democracy (now conveniently consolidated for your mental health on Elon Musk's Twitter account), you probably knew this was never going to be a temporary freeze. But if you were quietly hoping against hope, I think it's time to face our new reality.

I’m not here to play mid-February Ebenezer Scrooge, but coming to terms with this situation now is critically important. For many independent newsrooms, survival may depend on how quickly they can pivot—rethinking strategies, recalculating budgets, and making difficult decisions that no one wants to make.

Even if you’re not directly affected right now, anyone working in media or information should brace for more turbule…