The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, has long positioned itself as a champion of press freedom, training over 70,000 journalists across 180 countries since its inception in 1984. However, the organization’s deep financial ties with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) raise serious concerns about foreign interference, particularly in India.
Among those benefiting from ICFJ’s funding is A.S. Panneerselvan, a senior figure in Indian journalism who serves as the Readers’ Editor of The Hindu and is an advisory panel member of the Knight International Journalism Fellowship, a program administered by ICFJ. Panneerselvan, who also holds a faculty position at the Asian College of Journalism, has been a long-time proponent of narratives that align with globalist interests, often at odds with India’s sovereignty. His role as Executive Director of Panos South Asia—a media organization operating across multiple countries—further underscores his position as a conduit for foreign-backed ideological influence.
A. S. Panneerselvan is the reader's editor of The Hindu.
He is an advisory panel member of the Knight International Journalism Fellowship programme administered by ICFJ.
Interestingly, ICFJ is funded by USAID.
Panneerselvan is a faculty at the Asian College of Journalism. pic.twitter.com/sJ9ZmeTOJ1
— Vijay Patel (@vijaygajera) February 11, 2025
But why does it matter if he is connected? In October 2024, the Dravidian propaganda handle on social media platform X was exposed, and its admins are being revealed individually. The Commune also reported on how a person named Kathir RS, biographer of TN CM and DMK chief MK Stalin, was the face behind the handle ‘We Dravidians’ that spewed venom against Hindus, especially Brahmins.
The handle met stiff opposition from Pawan Kalyan’s fans after the latter, and Udhayanidhi Stalin locked horns over Sanatana Dharma’s remarks. An Andhra Pradesh-based advocate filed a police complaint against the handle. Subsequently, the admins deactivated the handle and disappeared.
We all found out that the anti-Hindu secessionist handle We Dravidians had a strong DMK connection. Now here is where Panneerselvan features. For the launch of this biography, Kathir is seen with a few members known to be staunch supporters of the party or associated with the party itself in some way. Among them is ICFJ -The Hindu’s Panneerselvan!
Great team of @WeDravidians @rasukumar is the admin
I have no idea why / how the handle which demands to break India is being allowed to run from Chennai pic.twitter.com/C5DRwSeT2o
— 🧠 (@BackupBrainy) October 6, 2024
It is an open secret that The Hindu has been peddling lies and leftist narratives for quite some time now, especially with the likes of N Ram at the helm.
Coming back to the Panneerselvan connection – The ICFJ Knight Fellowships, funded by USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, claim to promote news innovation and investigative journalism. However, their track record suggests a pattern of funding media initiatives designed to push specific political agendas. These fellowships have been instrumental in enabling foreign-backed journalists to interfere in domestic affairs, framing issues in a manner that undermines India’s national and cultural interests.
USAID: The U.S. Deep State’s Tool For Regime Change
USAID, under the guise of humanitarian aid, has a long history of funding covert operations aimed at destabilizing governments. Established in the 1960s, the agency has been widely accused of engaging in regime change activities and undermining sovereign nations. India has been a key target of these efforts, with USAID funding numerous NGOs and projects that align with anti-national narratives.
One particularly egregious example is the involvement of the Atlantic Council, a USAID-backed think tank that has worked to censor pro-India voices on social media platforms like WhatsApp. This initiative, backed by billionaire George Soros, sought to suppress nationalist sentiments and weaken support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Soros, who has openly committed $1 billion to undermine nationalist leaders globally, has played a major role in funding these disruptive efforts.
Further compounding USAID’s influence in India is its deep-rooted connection with the Indian National Congress, particularly through figures like Sam Pitroda, a key mentor to Rahul Gandhi. USAID’s financial backing of organizations and media entities linked to the Congress has long raised questions about its role in shaping India’s political landscape in a direction favorable to Western interests.
The Trump Administration’s Crackdown on USAID
Recognizing USAID’s unchecked influence, the Trump administration took decisive action against the agency, freezing foreign assistance, terminating contractors, and placing senior officials on leave. In one of the most dramatic moves, Elon Musk—appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—declared USAID a “criminal organization” and called for its dissolution. Following this, USAID’s official website and X (formerly Twitter) account were shut down, signaling a significant rollback of its operations.
The time has come to expose and counteract these hidden agendas before they further erode India’s national interests. Indian policymakers, media professionals, and the public must recognize and challenge the covert operations that threaten the country’s stability and sovereignty.
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