WASHINGTON: Television journalists and producers from independent Arab television news stations will be able to obtain financial support for their research and productions this year, according to a press release issued last week by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX).
"Up to 10 television journalists and producers from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the West Bank and Gaza will be able to seek small grants up to $20,000," the press release said. It added that "a total of $150,000 will be available to Arab producers in two rounds this year."
The TV Production Fund Small Grants awards will be made under the MENA MEDIA program, administered through IREX and AmmanNet, and funded by the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative.
Mark Whitehouse, Director of IREX's Media Development Division, called the TV Production Fund a unique opportunity for Arab producers. "We welcome the opportunity to support Arab producers who create content about Arabs and Arab communities for broadcast on Arab television."
Applications for the first round of grants are now being received with a deadline set for May 15, 2006.
Productions dealing with issues like political processes and governments' responsiveness to the needs of their citizens, women in public life, profiles of innovative/emerging leaders will be considered by a panel made up largely of independent Arab media workers.
Projects which include alliances on content among television stations, print, radio or Internet outlets to ensure the productions have the broadest distribution possible will be given priority.
To download an application, visit www.irex-mena.org.
