The Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA), an initiative of the National Endowment for Democracy, aims to strengthen the support, raise the visibility, and improve the effectiveness of media assistance programs throughout the world. The Center approaches its mission by providing information, building networks, conducting research, and highlighting the indispensable role independent media play in the creation and development of sustainable democracies around the world.

CIMA convenes working groups, commissions research reports, and holds events. The Center has also compiled a bibliographic database of international media assistance resources. CIMA's advisory council advises the Center on topics in media development that need further study and how it can assist existing organizations involved in media assistance.

Background

Independent media are an inextricable element of democratic society. Citizens rely upon information from the media to make informed decisions and hold their leaders accountable. Free media act as a catalyst for political reform, contribute to consolidation of democracy, and facilitate the unfettered exchange of ideas necessary for the development of civil society. Press freedom and media development groups have worked worldwide to train thousands of journalists, broaden press freedoms, draw attention to attacks on members of the media, and establish print and broadcast organizations.

Since 1989, according to several analyses, U.S.-based sources have spent at least $600 million on support of independent media. The difficulty of producing sustainable results hampers the collective impact of media assistance efforts. Many projects thrive while receiving direct assistance but halt when outside funding ends. While journalist training programs are in high demand, not all programs have the resources to ensure that journalists can and will integrate the new skills into their work. Moreover, a lack of coordination among funders and implementers can lead to inefficient utilization of resources.

CIMA strives to support the media assistance field in addressing these challenges as a forum for sharing experience and ideas. An important aspect of CIMA's work is to research ways to attract additional U.S. private sector interest in international media development.

About the Center

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a private, nonprofit organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts.

Since its inception, NED has funded media programs around the world. NED promotes democracy through its roles as a grant-making institution, as a center for international scholars, and as host of the World Movement for Democracy. NED has awarded grants for a wide variety of support activities, including journalism training, legal aide for members of the media, education of media consumers, and aid to local print and broadcast outlets.

CIMA brings together a range of media experts with the objective of strengthening support of free and independent media throughout the world. CIMA works to facilitate cooperation and collaboration among funders, implementers, and researchers in the sector of media assistance.

CIMA was authorized by Congress in Section 7108 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-458). CIMA is funded through a grant from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the U.S. Department of State.

NED supports the building of a network of media practitioners and experts through the Global Forum for Media Development. NED also supports the International Journalists' Network (IJNet), an online resource published by the International Center for Journalists.

Advisory Council

The Advisory Council for the Center for International Media Assistance comprises media professionals, academics, representatives of donor organizations, and other experts on international media.

The Advisory Council provides CIMA with guidance on topics in media development that need further study and advises CIMA on how it can assist existing organizations involved in media assistance. Some Advisory Council members also lead working groups, moderating dialogues on specific topics in media assistance.