Why Support Independent Media

A free and vibrant press is the backbone of democracy. When people have access to reliable information, they can hold power to account and defend their rights.


Across Central America, civic space is shrinking. Journalists are threatened, censored, surveilled, persecuted, and forced into exile. From community radios to investigative journalism, independent media faces coordinated attacks aimed at silencing them and weakening public oversight of governmental and economic powers.


Independent, public interest journalism is one of the strongest antidotes against authoritarianism. That is why it needs our sustained support and protection.


SIF mobilizes flexible funding and builds alliances to strengthen independent media so they can continue their critical reporting, even in hostile contexts. By supporting those who inform the public, we defend civic space and strengthen democracy across the region.

Funding independent media with intention

We are more than a grantmaker; we are a trusted ally to independent media. Our approach is grounded in trust, flexibility, and care, recognizing that journalists working under pressure need more than funding alone. 

We listen first and offer accompaniment where needed. We invest in long-term relationships, collective well-being, and cross-border solidarity as important preconditions for sustainability.

How We Support Independent Media

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Flexible, Trust-Based Funding

Support independent, public-interest media organizations with grants that respond to shifting contexts and needs.

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Resilience & Innovation Support

Offer tools and accompaniment on audience engagement, narrative innovation, and collective care and psychological support.

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Strategic Convening & Coordination

Bring journalists, media allies, and donors together to share strategies and build cross-border alliances.

Our Allies

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    Independent, not-for-profit, and public interest media organizations

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    Media outlets working in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica

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    Investigative journalism, fact-checkers, and community radios

     

Our Impact

  • 3.3M+

    Central Americans have access to high-quality, independent reporting from public interest media supported by SIF.

  • 13

    Independent media outlets supported.

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    Regular convenings bringing journalists and funders together to coordinate protection, safety, and resilience strategies.

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    Journalism supported through SIF has informed legal actions, public accountability processes, and civic mobilization.

From our Allies

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Quorum

“SIF’s support and flexibility were crucial for us to adapt our journalistic coverage to the electoral developments that Guatemala experienced in 2023 and to accompany Guatemalan citizens in the defense of democracy. These types of programs are vital in contexts like this one in which journalism must continually adapt to social crises.”

Quorum

Guatemala

Radio Progreso

“SIF’s solidarity and flexible support have strengthened our network of grassroots correspondents and deepened our commitment to collaborative journalism. This partnership enables us to address shared challenges and build narratives that contribute to a democratic and civic culture.”

Radio Progreso

Honduras

Gatoencerrado

“SIF’s support has been essential to the survival of GatoEncerrado.news. Its flexible funding has enabled us to preserve the independence of our investigative journalism, even as we face increasing hostility and systematic persecution against the press in El Salvador and across Central America.”

Gatoencerrado

El Salvador

Your support helps to:

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Provide long-term, flexible funding to public interest media in Central America.

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Support audience development and journalistic innovation.

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Convene media organizations to share strategies and strengthen alliances.

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Provide collective care and psychological support for journalists, to ensure well-being.

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Coordinate information-sharing among donors for better, aligned support.

Partner with Us

Independent journalism is one of the strongest antidotes against authoritarianism. Your support helps independent, public interest media to continue their work and allows SIF to build the networks needed for impact.

SIF is supported by a growing community of philanthropic partners committed to press freedom and democratic resilience.

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