HARARE – The Internews Health Journalism Network (HJN), a global program supporting health journalists, has announced that it will be suspending operations due to a funding freeze resulting from the US government’s recent aid suspension.
In a statement, Megan Miller, Internews Global Health Director and lead for HJN, explained that the network’s activities will be put on hold from February 7, 2025, onwards.
The decision comes after the US government’s suspension of foreign assistance, which has severely impacted Internews and its partners.
“After working tirelessly with our fellow development organizations in an attempt to push back against the funding pause, we do not believe the current program review process, funding freeze, or policy environment will change fast enough for an immediate reversal,” Miller stated.
“As a result, Internews and the support team here at the HJN have had to make some tough decisions on how to proceed given these unprecedented and uncertain times. With a heavy heart, I’m writing to say that HJN activities will be in hibernation from Feb 7, 2025, onwards.
“Rest assured that Internews remains committed to the future of the HJN and will work tirelessly to reinstate the network as soon as it’s possible to do so.
“Our website will remain active and open and houses so many helpful tipsheets, information and support documents that can help our amazing members in this period of hibernation.”
The HJN aims to support and empower journalists to produce high-quality, accurate, and informative health reporting. The network provides training, mentorship, and resources to health journalists worldwide.
In Zimbabwe, Internews was sponsoring a number of media projects, including the capacitation of investigative journalism. The organisation’s support had enabled local journalists to produce in-depth reports on critical health issues affecting the country.
This development comes amid a broader operational shift at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which has announced plans to place the majority of its permanent employees on administrative leave globally.
