The BBC issued a statement this week revealing they get a lot of money from USAID, saying it amounts to about eight percent of their income. They get the money for something called BBC Media Action, which they say is a charity that supports free local media around the world.

The reason they are releasing this statement is because the money stopped flowing.

Here’s what they wrote:

A free press is essential to freedom and democracy – and 75% of countries around the world do not have a free press. BBC Media Action supports local media around the world to deliver trusted information to people most in need.

Like many international development organisations, BBC Media Action has been affected by the temporary pause in US government funding, which amounts to about 8% of our income in 2023-24. We’re doing everything we can to minimise the impact on our partners and the people we serve.

As the BBC’s international charity, we are completely separate from BBC News, and wholly reliant on our donors and supporters to carry out our work.

So how much did we give BBC Media Action in 2023-24? In a separate article, the BBC writes:

The BBC’s international charity BBC Media Action, which is funded by external grants and voluntary contributions, receives funding from USAID. According to a 2024 report, USAID donated $3.23m (£2.6m), making it the charity’s second-largest donor that financial year.

This is unreal. Why in the heck are we funding crap like this?? Thank you Elon Musk and President Trump for putting a stop to all of this wasteful spending.