Independent Russian news outlet Holod warns it may shut down over funding shortage, despite an audience of 1.5 million
The news outlet Holod has warned that it may have to shut down unless it finds more funding.
“We really do have only enough money left for two months of work. If we don’t find support, we’ll have to stop,” the editorial team wrote in an appeal.
The journalists asked readers for donations, saying recurring subscriptions would help them plan further ahead. They said supporting publications designated as “foreign agents” carries no administrative or criminal penalties.
“Holod currently has around 1.5 million followers across various platforms, and that audience is growing rapidly. Still, given the political situation and the many restrictions on monetization, audience size is no guarantee of financial stability,” Holod founder Taisiya Bekbulatova told Meduza.
She said the outlet would not be able to continue all of its current work. Its main focus will be keeping its Instagram account and YouTube channel running.
Holod has operated since 2019, and its reporting has received multiple nominations for the Redkollegia journalism award. In 2024, Russia’s Justice Ministry added the outlet to its register of “foreign agents.”
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