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<p><strong><em>On 2 November 2017, the former Foreign Secretary announced that the
UK would spend £1m "over the next financial year" on projects to support
media freedom, in countries where it is under significant pressure. The FCO issued
a call for bids for projects on Media Freedom through the Magna Carta Fund on </em></strong><a
href="http://www.gov.uk/" target="_blank"><strong><em>www.Gov.uk</em></strong></a><strong><em>
in May 2018. Selected Posts around the network have also put out separate, country-specific
calls for bids. </em></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong><em>The criteria was for projects
which addressed restrictions on media freedom, for example through legislation or
policy, and/or supported the training and protection of journalists. Projects needed
to offer good value for money and demonstrate potential for impact, sustainability
and replication. Posts also took into account specific local criteria. Decisions on
funding were made by officials within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and by officers
at Posts around the network. </em></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong><em>30 applications
were received in relation to the call for bids on </em></strong><a href="http://www.gov.uk/"
target="_blank"><strong><em>www.Gov.uk</em></strong></a><strong><em>. A number of
other bids have been received directly by our network of Posts. We have allocated
over£1.5m for media freedom and freedom of expression projects this financial year
under the Magna Carta Fund. We are funding 15 projects in 14 countries. Expenditure
is ongoing as we have not reached the end of this financial year.</em></strong> <em><strong>Further
programme funding is available for press freedom work through the Good Governance
Fund which covers Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia
and Ukraine, and through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).</strong></em></p>
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