Deadline: 8 June 2020
The U.S. Consulate General Karachi Public Affairs Section is seeking proposals for workshops, roundtables, and training sessions aimed at improving Pakistani journalists’ ability to decipher and counter false narratives, while building their capacity to produce data-driven investigative stories.
Project Goal
They seek proposals that further the professional development of the Pakistani press and strengthen the media industry. The program should improve print, broadcast, and online media practitioners’ ability to develop fact-based, investigative reports and provide Pakistani citizens with the information need to make informed judgments about their lives, their communities, and their public institutions.
Objectives
Over 18 months, the grantee will train current and emerging media professionals—to include reporters, journalists, bloggers, assignment desk staff, and/or editors—in the implications of unreliable/fake and misleading news through a series of workshops, roundtables, and training sessions. The grantee should plan to train at least 500 journalists through multiple sessions throughout the year. The project will also provide journalists with tools to better support investigative journalism in Pakistan, and to better explain the news to the public. Program activities may include mentorship and training to support investigative stories including, but not limited to, the spread of disinformation to undermine confidence in institutions, support for radical movements and parties, rule of law, and governance issues. The program can also support collaboration across media organizations and creative media literacy campaigns.
- Objective 1: Increase participants’ critical skills to counter disinformation in both traditional and digital media, including investigative journalism best practices, data analysis, and fact-checking.
- Objective 2: Increase in professional reporting and news stories, clearly applying the skills learned in objective 1.
- Objective 3: Participants are better able to explain journalistic standards and the signs and threats of disinformation and fake news to the general public.
Funding Information
- Anticipated Award Amount: The award floor is two hundred thousand dollars $200,000; the award ceiling is two hundred fifty thousand dollars $250,000.
- Duration of Award: All award activities should be completed within 18 months of the award start date.
Participants and Audiences
Emerging mid-level male and female Pakistani journalists, editorial staff, assignment editors and other media professionals representing a mix of Urdu, English, Sindhi, Pashtu, Balochi, and Punjabi speaking communities. Final participant list requires approval of Mission Pakistan. Female participation is strongly encouraged. Projects that include work in underserved areas in Pakistan will be especially competitive.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility is open to international and Pakistan-based non-profit organizations. Organizations may sub-award or sub-contract with other entities, but only one non-profit organization can be the prime recipient of the award.
- Pakistan government entities are not eligible to apply. For-profit entities are not eligible to be the prime recipient of an award under this NOFO. When subawarding or sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
- The applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal submission (e.g. proof of 501(c) (3) status, Pakistan NGO license). Applications that do not include proof of non-profit status will not be considered for an award. Individuals are not eligible for an award under this NOFO. U.S.-based or registered organizations should provide proof of registration to operate in Pakistan or have a documented agreement with a partner organization registered to operate in Pakistan.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326529