State Department Plans $4 Million for Right-Wing Media in Europe Inside a $25 Million Package, Reuters Reports

Reuters reported Aug. 31 that the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor plans to spend $4 million to bolster right-wing media in Europe, citing four people familiar with the funding. Three million dollars is earmarked to document what the department calls democratic backsliding in Europe as it relates to migration, independent media and supranational legislative agendas; another $1 million would create a consortium of journalists covering sovereignty, natural rights and religious freedom. The department notified Congress on Aug. 21; the money sits within at least $25 million for Europe.

European governments have already accused Washington of interfering in their domestic politics, and the grants would direct U.S. funds toward media aligned with one side of elections due across the continent in the next two years.

A State Department spokesperson said the bureau does not fund political parties and that the administration remains committed to defending democracy and human rights. The funding is expected to be finalized by the end of September. Recipients have not been identified.