"Democracy can never be rooted in Libya unless [it is done] with the presence of a professional media sector that is aware of its responsibilities … and contributes to the transfer of Libya from a dictatorship to an era where rights and freedoms are respected,” Lamia Abusedra, Libya’s deputy information minister, said at the launch event for the LCDF project held in Tripoli on March 29.
“A free, professional, and unbiased media is crucial to developing Libya,” said IWPR Libya Country Director Seth Meixner, adding that LCDF would allow participating media to “design and create content which will raise the capacity and professionalism for the sector as a whole”.
LCDF Project Manager Nabil Khoury says any Libyan media outlet or entity is eligible for grant funding.
“The fund will respect the balance between state-owned and private institutions, as well diversity of geography and specialisation,” he added.
The application process will be set out on a website which is due to be launched shortly.
Enquiries and letters of intent can be sent to the LCDF team at khoury@iwpr.net.
For further information contact Duncan Furey, International Partnerships Director at duncan@iwpr.net.
(Source: IWPR)