In a heartfelt farewell, BenarNews, a trailblazer in independent journalism across the Asia-Pacific, has announced a pause in operations due to funding challenges.
After a decade of delivering crucial news from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and the Pacific the outlet faces an uncertain future after the U.S administration withheld essential financial support.
“As BenarNews pauses its operations, we want to thank our audience for your loyalty and trust in us,” wrote the editorial team in a letter. “After 10 years of reporting from across the Asia-Pacific, BenarNews is pausing operations due to matters beyond its control.”
The decision comes after the U.S government, which provided crucial funding for the network’s work, chose to withhold the necessary resources.
“The U.S. administration has withheld the funding that we rely on to bring our readers and viewers the news from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines and island-states and territories in the Pacific.
“We have always strived to offer clear and accurate news on security, politics and human rights, to shed light on news that others neglect or suppress, and to cover issues that will shape the future of Asia and the Pacific,” said Managing Editor Kate Beddall and Deputy Managing Editor Imran Vittachi.
Despite the setback, BenarNews has remained committed to offering clear, accurate, and independent reporting on security, politics, and human rights — covering stories that many mainstream outlets overlook or suppress.
Reflecting on the significance of their work, the team noted that just last month, they celebrated their 10th anniversary with a special video highlighting the “tremendous but risky work” carried out by their journalists. Yet, amid these uncertain times, they remain hopeful for a return.
They also expressed gratitude for the tireless work of their journalists, cartoonists, and writers, who have served the public with passion and integrity.
“Amid uncertainty about the future, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank our readers and viewers for their loyalty and trust in BenarNews.
“And to Benar journalists, cartoonists and commentary writers in Washington, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, thank you for your hard work and passion in serving the public and helping make a difference,” they said.
Though their operations are on pause, BenarNews expresses hope that their funding will be restored and they will be back online soon, continuing their mission to serve an audience that has relied on their unique voice for the past decade.
“We hope that our funding is restored and that we will be back online soon,” they said.
