BBC Media Action has stated the importance of free press for freedom and democracy, emphasizing that 75% of the world's countries do not have a free press. The organization also supports local media across the globe to provide reliable information to those who need it.
BBC reported that the suspension of the agency's work significantly reflected its activities. BBC Media Action is a fully independent international charitable organization, not affiliated with BBC News. It is wholly reliant on grantors and partners for the fulfillment of its work.
BBC acknowledged that the charitable organization affiliated with it received funding from the USAID Agency for International Development. With the cessation of US government funding, which constituted around 8% of its income in 2023-2024, BBC stated that it will consider all possible efforts to mitigate the impact on its partners and users of its services.
According to information from the Telegraph publication, USAID allocated £2.6 million to BBC Media Action, which trains journalists and improves communications in poor countries, making USAID the second largest donor organization after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Development, which allocated over £3 million in the tax year 2023-2024.
