UNDP TO GIVE GRANTS TO 4 TV COMPANIES TO PREPARE PROGRAMS CONCERNING PROBLEMS OF CORRUPTION

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The UNDP will give grants to the "Lori"
TV LTD, STV1 TV editorial, "Hrazdan" and "Media Center" TV companies
for preparing programs covering the corruption problems. Memorandums of
mutual understanding were singed among UNDP Permanent Representative
Consuelo Vidal and the mentioned TV companies. The total cost of the
program is 55 thousand U.S. dollars.

"We started this experimental program within the framework of our
anti-corruption events as we have a special goal to strengthen mass
media in this sphere. We hope that these TV programs will arise
interest of the Armenian society, and broadcasts will incite all
members of the society to struggle against corruption," C. Vidal
mentioned. In her words, by the first stage of the grant program the
preference was shown to TV companies but grants will in future be
given to printed mass media as well.

It was also mentioned that this event is a part of the "Struggle
Against Spreading Corruption and Strengthening Awareness in
Armenia" UNDP program which it implements in cooperation with the RA
Government. The goal of the program is to strengthen the institutional
ability of the government and civil society to efficiently participate
in anti-corruption initiatives.