The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor of the US State Department intends to allocate up to $ 750 thousand for the program for the development of “independent media” in Afghanistan. In particular, we are talking about promoting citizen journalists and attracting women and youth to work. This is stated in the description of the grant, which RT got acquainted with.
Future contractors are expected to be involved in training media representatives, increasing public demand for “professional and independent news,” and developing opportunities for citizens to gain access to “unbiased, fact-based information”.
“The desired result of the program is to provide independent media with greater opportunities for transparent and objective coverage of events,” – follows from the document.
At the same time, it is necessary for local media to reduce self-censorship, especially when covering such “sensitive topics as the peace talks on Afghanistan, religious tolerance, gender aspect, corruption, conflict and governance,” the text specifies.
The priority under the US-funded program will be those media that work in rural areas, seek to empower women, minorities, and promote human rights and the rule of law, added the State Department.
US and foreign non-profit, non-governmental organizations, international organizations and institutions of higher education can apply for participation in the competition for a grant.
In April, the State Department announced its intention to allocate up to $ 1.5 million for projects in “support of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Syria.”
