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.

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