Supporting Syrian Independent Media

• Eligibility Criteria:
  Eligible applicants include:
  – U.S. or foreign or non-profit organizations;
  – For-profit organizations;
  – Private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and
  – Public international organizations.
• Type of funding: Programmatic
• Target country: Syria
• Application language: English

The Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) aims to support programming to improve access for Syrians to unbiased, accurate, and locally relevant information as a means to empower citizens, promote accountability, and counter violent extremist narratives.

Proposed project activities should achieve the following objectives:

• Improve independent media platforms’ capacity, journalistic production and management to ensure access for Syrians to unbiased, accurate, and locally relevant information, to empower citizens, promote accountability, and counter violent extremist narratives; and
• Counter disinformation perpetuated by the Assad regime, terrorist organizations, and other malign actors through support for professional Syrian media outlets

The development of an independent media environment that encourages and supports ethical, professional journalistic practices will lead to a better informed, empowered citizenry more open to a healthy exchange of ideas and less susceptible to malign influence through the propagation of disinformation.

By furthering these outcomes, the project aims to counter violent extremist narratives and enhance security and stability in Syria, with an emphasis on areas formerly controlled by ISIS. By its very nature, media production is inherently adaptable, and transmission of information and reporting can reach deep into restricted spaces.

As communities liberated from ISIS control attempt to rebuild and overcome years of ISIS rule, Syrian media stations are expanding their reach to fill the information void and support moderate, pluralistic, and accurate discourse.

See here to learn more and apply.

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