Additional Context: This quote is attributed to Francisco Rodríguez, editor of Guatemalan new site Plaza Pública. His newsroom received funding from USAID, but has managed to retain its journalists with funding from other sources. Nonetheless, as noted in his quote, the U.S. funding cuts may create a tougher environment for independent journalism in the region writ-large.

The USAID cuts have impacted hundreds of outlets in places where public interest journalism is chronically underfunded and often under attack. The US government previously supported independent journalism in more than 30 countries. Most of this funding was channelled through USAID.

Source: Reuters Institute