The U.S. has abruptly suspended $1.7 million in funding for a media literacy program in Bulgaria, raising questions about the future of the initiative. This article explores the reasons behind the funding cut and the potential impact on media literacy efforts. Learn about the partners involved and the projected outcomes of the Bi mediawise program,designed to enhance citizens’ understanding of critical media consumption.
U.S. Suspends $1.7 Million Media Literacy Subsidy for Bulgaria
Sofia, Bulgaria — The United States has suspended a $1.7 million subsidy earmarked for Bulgaria under the Bi Mediawise Media Literacy Program.The decision follows a broader move by Secretary of State Marco rubio to cancel $215 million in grants slated for various programs across multiple countries.
Secretary rubios Decision
The U.S. Ministry of State Efficiency announced on the social network “EX” that Secretary Rubio today has canceled 139 lavish subsidies worth $ 215 million.
The cuts impact projects not only in Bulgaria but also in the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Brazil, belarus, Mauritania, Lebanon, Tunisia, and other nations.
The Bi Mediawise Media Literacy Program
The Bi Mediawise program, an initiative aimed at bolstering media literacy, has several partners involved in its Bulgarian project. The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, based in florida, leads the project. Other key partners include the Together in Hour Foundation, Prepodavame.bg, and the American University in Bulgaria. The European Roma Rights Center serves as a consultant.
The two-year project, scheduled to conclude in September 2025, includes a series of seminars across Bulgaria in 2024 and 2025. These seminars aim to equip citizens with the tools to recognize disinformation. According to the Poynter website, eight seminars have already taken place.
Partner Initiatives and Future Plans
Several initiatives are underway or planned by the partner organizations:
- The Together in the Hour Foundation and prepodavame.bg have established a teen fact-checking network, which currently has 75 subscribers.
- Poynter’s site promises to launch soon:
- A program for student media correspondents in Bulgaria,in partnership with the American University in Bulgaria.
- Educational curricula for teachers, in partnership with Together in Class and Teaching.bg.
- A digital resource hub accessible to anyone who wants additional help with media literacy.
Mediapool.bg’s Role
Mediapool.bg, a Bulgarian media outlet, is a partner in the project. In 2023, when the project began, the outlet expressed enthusiasm for its role.Stoyan Georgieva, publisher and editor-in-chief of Mediapool.bg, stated, The program will be a great opportunity for Mediapool.bg to share the experience of our team of public journalists so that people can get a better prospect for the complex world of modern media.
U.S. State Department’s Involvement
The Poynter project in Bulgaria, funded by a grant from the U.S.State Department, is part of the broader mediawise initiative of the Institute for digital Media Literacy. The initiative targets various demographic groups, including students, adults, and vulnerable social groups.
The U.S. has historically supported Bulgaria’s development.From the early 1990s to Bulgaria’s accession to the EU in 2007, USAID invested over $700 million in the country’s energy sector, financial institutions, and civil society [[3]].
