The US has decided to give a grant of USD 500,000 to organisations in Sri Lanka that will promote investigative journalism and build the capacity of journalists in the country.
The objective of such a massive grant, the State Department said, is to increase the capacity of Sri Lankan media and strengthened investigative journalism. The grant would not be given to journalists directly but to the organisations which can work with them to help meet this objective.
As such, the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor has sought proposals from organisations for activities that focus on building the capacity of journalists to provide quality, impartial reporting across a variety of media platforms with a special emphasis on investigative journalism.
Recognising that long-term sustainability should also include training and support for media outlets, the State Department wants the proposals to incorporate activities that provide training for editors on advanced journalism, including how to support investigative journalism efforts, along with roundtable discussions with editors and/or media owners on how to encourage and enhance quality journalism.
"A key outcome of these activities should include increased coverage on reconciliation and transitional justice activities in the country," the State Department said.
In a statement, the State Department said strong consideration will be given to proposals that work to facilitate interaction among journalists and media institutions in the north/east and south as well as proposals that include an emphasis on women journalists.
