Award–winning former Declassified UK journalist Matt Kennard has called for a public inquiry into the US government’s funding of the ‘BBC Media Action’ charity. This comes as Donald Trump’s second administration has taken aim at the controversial USAID (which Kennard says is often just “a CIA front”). BBC Media Action says the cut to USAID has “affected” its operations, as the organisation’s support “amounts to about 8% of our income in 2023-24”.

  • protist@mander.xyz
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    1 year ago

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaaction

    As an independent charity, we are not directly funded by the BBC License Fee. Our vital work relies on our donors - governments, foundations, corporations and individuals. Donate today to support our mission.

    There doesn’t seem to be anything secretive or untoward happening here. What is he even alleging?

    • §ɦṛɛɗɗịɛ ßịⱺ𝔩ⱺɠịᵴŧ@lemmy.mlOP
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      1 year ago

      It’s not just USAID. The BBC is actually funded by two branches of the US government.

      Last year, the US State Department gave BBC Media Action £280,000.

      The group says it used the $$$ to reach 100 million people in 24 countries with its programmes.

      After covering the BBC’s public relations response, the article then goes on to say:

      That sounds nice, of course. But when you’re aware of the role USAID has played as the ‘friendly face’ of US imperialism, more scrutiny of BBC Media Action is essential.

      What I took away from it is that since the BBC is affiliated with this blatant US corruption, regardless of directly or indirectly, the specifics regarding the association needs to be known by the public.