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The Semantic Forensics (SemaFor) program will develop technologies to automatically detect, attribute, and characterize falsified multi-modal media assets (text, audio, image, video) to defend against large-scale, automated disinformation attacks. Statistical detection techniques have been successful, but media generation and manipulation technology is advancing rapidly. Purely statistical detection methods are quickly becoming insufficient for detecting falsified media assets. Detection techniques that rely on statistical fingerprints can often be fooled with limited additional resources (algorithm development, data, or compute). However, existing automated media generation and manipulation algorithms are heavily reliant on purely data driven approaches and are prone to making semantic errors. For example, GAN-generated faces may have semantic inconsistencies such as mismatched earrings. These semantic failures provide an opportunity for defenders to gain an asymmetric advantage. A comprehensive suite of semantic inconsistency detectors would dramatically increase the burden on media falsifiers, requiring the creators of falsified media to get every semantic detail correct, while defenders only need to find one, or a very few, inconsistencies. SemaFor seeks to develop innovative semantic technologies for analyzing media. Semantic detection algorithms will determine if media is generated or manipulated. Attribution algorithms will infer if media originates from a particular organization or individual. Characterization algorithms will reason about whether media was generated or manipulated for malicious purposes. These SemaFor technologies will help identify, deter, and understand adversary disinformation campaigns.

Media@McGill is a hub of interdisciplinary research, scholarship and public outreach on issues in media, technology and culture, located in the Department of Art History and Communication Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. To see the list of postdoctoral fellowships, click here. Media@McGill offers Postdoctoral Fellowships to promising scholars engaging in media-related research, as defined in Media@McGill's mission statement. Fellows are provided with a workspace, and are expected to take an active role in the research activities and academic life of Media@McGill (participation in conferences, seminars, etc.). They may also have the possibility of teaching a course within the Department of Art History and Communication Studies at McGill. Eligibility: The Media@McGill Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to both national and international scholars who completed their doctoral degrees in a university other than McGill no earlier than June 1, 2010. Candidates must have received their PhD by May 1, 2014. Fluency in English is essential; working knowledge of French is an asset. Value and Duration: The stipend for the Media@McGill Postdoctoral Fellowship is $45,000 CAD for 12 months (this includes a travel research stipend) beginning in the first week of September 2014.

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP). PAS Kabul invites all eligible organizations (See Section III. Eligibility Requirements on page 5) to submit a proposal for a grant with the U.S. Embassy to enhance the capacity of three Afghan government media relations offices so that their media outreach increases in number and effectiveness and the gap between the Afghan public and their governemnt is narrowed. The grant's goals will be achieved by strengthening the capacity of the ministries to engage in proactive, effective, and truthful outreach to both public and private media. The three ministry media relations offices that this grant will train and support are: the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Independent Directorate for Local Governance. This will be a one-year project, focused on training and production of new stories for a variety of different media. The successful applicant must have strong experience in communications, media training and public relations, with a broad track record in developing and placing stories about the real and measurable progress in Afghanistan with the Afghan media. The successful proposal also must show strong project management experience that demonstrates success in meeting both short- and long-term milestones. Success for this project also will be measured by the number of media activities, the number and impact of stories placed in the media, and the ability of the ministry press office to sustain and carry on this work after the award performance period has been completed.

The Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States of America in Islamabad, Pakistan, is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). PAS Islamabad invites all eligible organizations (see Section C for Eligibility Requirements) to submit proposals for a Grant or Cooperative Agreement to support activities focused on providing media training and professional development to professionals in the media field through one of the activity areas specified in this NOFO. PAS Islamabad invites proposals for projects that focus on one of the priority areas specified below. Applicants should pay close attention to the Public Affairs Section's goals, priority program areas, target audiences, and geographic locations when developing their proposals. Goals: The goals of this funding opportunity are to: 1. Strengthen People-to-People ties between the United States and Pakistan to increase professional and personal interaction between American media experts and local trainers with Pakistani journalists. 2. Expand Media Engagement by providing training to journalists in new or traditional forms of media that also support professional standards in journalism; increasing participants' knowledge and skills in producing and reporting quality news stories, exposing them to high professional standards, and empowering them to communicate news more effectively to the Pakistani public. Priority Program Areas: This NOFO aims to support the Department of State's initiatives to promote and strengthen the field of journalism and the accuracy of reporting in Pakistan in the areas of: 1. Social media training and digital security 2. Working with police and government 3. Resilience in harsh reporting conditions 4. Covering the 2016 U.S. presidential election

America's Media Makers (AMM) grants support the following formats: interactive digital media; film and television projects; and radio projects. Interactive digital media may be websites, games, mobile applications, virtual environments, streaming video, podcasts, or other digital formats. Film and television projects may be single programs or a series addressing significant figures or events and drawing their content from humanities scholarship. The programs must be intended for national distribution. Radio projects may involve single programs, limited series, or segments within an ongoing program. They may also develop new humanities content to augment existing radio programming or add greater historical background or humanities analysis to the subjects of existing programs. They may be intended for regional or national distribution. NEH encourages projects that feature multiple formats to engage the public in the exploration of humanities ideas. Proposed projects might include complementary components that expand or deepen the audience's understanding of a subject: for example, museum exhibitions, book/film discussion programs, or other formats that engage audiences in new ways. America's Media Makers grants may not, however, be used to support programs' general operating costs. Development grants enable media producers to collaborate with scholars to develop humanities content and to prepare programs for production. Grants should result in a script or a design document and should also yield a detailed plan for outreach and public engagement in collaboration with a partner organization or organizations.

Media Projects grants support the following formats: ¿ interactive digital media; ¿ film and television projects; and ¿ radio projects. Interactive digital media may be websites, games, mobile applications, virtual environments, streaming video, podcasts, or other digital formats. Film and television projects may be single programs or a series addressing significant figures, events, or ideas and drawing their content from humanities scholarship. The programs must be intended for national distribution. The program welcomes projects ranging in length from short-form to broadcast-length video. Radio projects may involve single programs, limited series, or segments within an ongoing program. They may also develop new humanities content to augment existing radio programming or add greater historical background or humanities analysis to the subjects of existing programs. They may be intended for regional or national distribution. NEH encourages projects that feature multiple formats to engage the public in the exploration of humanities ideas. Proposed projects might include complementary components that expand or deepen the audience¿s understanding of a subject: for example, museum exhibitions, book/film discussion programs, or other formats that engage audiences in new ways. Media Projects grants may not, however, be used to support programs¿ general operating costs. Grant Categories Development grants enable media producers to collaborate with scholars to develop humanities content and to prepare programs for production. Grants should result in a script or a design document and should also yield a detailed plan for outreach and public engagement in collaboration with a partner organization or organizations. Production grants support the production and distribution of digital projects, films, television programs, radio programs, and related programs that promise to engage the public.

America's Media Makers (AMM) grants support the following formats: * interactive digital media; * film and television projects; and * radio projects. Interactive digital media may be websites, games, mobile applications, virtual environments, streaming video, podcasts, or other digital formats. Film and television projects may be single programs or a series addressing significant figures or events and drawing their content from humanities scholarship. The programs must be intended for national distribution. Radio projects may involve single programs, limited series, or segments within an ongoing program. They may also develop new humanities content to augment existing radio programming or add greater historical background or humanities analysis to the subjects of existing programs. They may be intended for regional or national distribution. NEH encourages projects that feature multiple formats to engage the public in the exploration of humanities ideas. Proposed projects might include complementary components that expand or deepen the audience's understanding of a subject: for example, museum exhibitions, book/film discussion programs, or other formats that engage audiences in new ways. America's Media Makers grants may not, however, be used to support programs' general operating costs. Grant Categories Development grants enable media producers to collaborate with scholars to develop humanities content and to prepare programs for production. Grants should result in a script or a design document and should also yield a detailed plan for outreach and public engagement in collaboration with a partner organization or organizations. Production grants support the production and distribution of digital projects, films, television programs, radio programs, and related programs that promise to engage the public.

America's Media Makers (AMM) grants support the following formats: interactive digital media; film and television projects; and radio projects. Interactive digital media may be websites, games, mobile applications, virtual environments, streaming video, podcasts, or other digital formats. Film and television projects may be single programs or a series addressing significant figures or events and drawing their content from humanities scholarship. They must be intended for national distribution. Radio projects may involve single programs, limited series, or segments within an ongoing program. They may also develop new humanities content to augment existing radio programming or add greater historical background or humanities analysis to the subjects of existing programs. They may be intended for regional or national distribution. NEH encourages projects that feature multiple formats to engage the public in the exploration of humanities ideas. Proposed projects might include complementary components that expand or deepen the audience's understanding of a subject: for example, museum exhibitions, book/film discussion programs, or other formats that engage audiences in new ways. America's Media Makers grants may not, however, be used to support programs' general operating costs. Production grants support the production and distribution of digital projects, films, television programs, radio programs, and related programs that promise to engage the public.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is part of a trans-NIH initiative known as Collaborative Research on Addiction (CRAN). The goal of this FOA is to inspire and support research projects investigating the role of social media in risk behaviors associated with the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (hereafter referred to as "ATOD") and projects using social media to ameliorate such behaviors. Each research project proposed in response to this FOA must be focused on one of the two distinct areas: 1) observational research using social media interactions as surveillance tools to aid in the understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, attitudes, and behaviors associated with ATOD use and addiction, or 2) intervention research measuring the reach, engagement, and behavioral and health impact of social media-based interventions for the screening, prevention, and treatment of ATOD use and addiction.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is part of a trans-NIH initiative known as Collaborative Research on Addiction (CRAN). The goal of this FOA is to inspire and support research projects investigating the role of social media in risk behaviors associated with the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (hereafter referred to as "ATOD") and projects using social media to ameliorate such behaviors. Each research project proposed in response to this FOA must be focused on one of the two distinct areas: 1) observational research using social media interactions as surveillance tools to aid in the understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, attitudes, and behaviors associated with ATOD use and addiction, or 2) intervention research measuring the reach, engagement, and behavioral and health impact of social media-based interventions for the screening, prevention, and treatment, of ATOD use and addiction. Original research preliminary data are not required but all projects are expected to be supported by a strong rationale that is based on integrating to the extent possible the available relevant information from various sources.

The goal of the FPC's International Media Reporting Programs is to engage directly with foreign media to advance U.S. foreign policy priorities by providing visiting foreign journalists with direct access to authoritative sources of information about U.S. foreign policy through informational and policy briefings, as well as local and national reporting tours. In turn, those foreign media members report on important facts and insights regarding the social, political, economic, historical, and cultural context within which U.S. foreign policy is developed via broadcast, print, and digital media.

The U.S. Embassy in Skopje Public Affairs Section invites U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations and educational institutions to develop and implement a media internship program for mid-career journalists from the Republic of Macedonia. Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing media training programs is required. A broad pool of media contacts and established relationships with potential media host institutions will be considered favorably.

Subject to the availability of funds, this competitively awarded five-year, Cooperative Agreement will focus on strengthening the independence, professionalism, production capacities, self-sustainability and regulatory framework of the media sector in South Sudan. Media assistance will build on the transition to self-sustainability of five currently USAID-supported local partner radio stations. Due to its unique potentials for communicating with virtually the entire population, media can enable a much needed national conversation to vitally contribute to the building of this new nation. The media, be it print, broadcast, internet, or other form, represent an integral part of accountability systems that, in turn, are critical to the effective functioning of democratic governance. USAID will advise applicants of project objectives and desired outcome; however, applicants must provide the methodology or approach for implementation of the project. Applicants will have the opportunity to propose a sound, cost effective approach for the Program. Additionally, Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider implementation through a consortium with other organizations including but not limited to PIOs and local organizations; however, principal responsibility for implementation of the program should rest with the applicant who should act as prime and have final responsibility for implementation and performance monitoring of the program.

MOVO will be a five-year regional messaging and communication effort that leverages both traditional and new media to counter violent extremism and promote democracy, human rights and governance. MOVO will aim to form lasting partnerships to amplify moderate voices in communities as well as national and regional networks and institutions. MOVO will use a strategic information campaigns to tackle difficult, long-standing issues critical to VE vulnerability as well as to respond directly to events and hot topics. MOVO will integrate with other USG CVE and messaging efforts, such as State and USAID-funded programs, Public Affairs Sections and Military Information Support Teams (MIST) in the region. With regard to mediums of information exchange, MOVO will strengthen and expand existing PDev II radio networks and programming, continuing to invest in the medium most easily accessible to rural communities at-risk. However, MOVO will also produce targeted video content in targeted countries that is easily sharable and of most interest to target demographics. Mobile platforms that leverage feature phones have proved wildly popular and are useful in engaging rural audiences. Social media offers exciting new opportunities to connect with target audiences. However, poor internet penetration in target areas and among target demographics may limit the applicability of the medium. MOVO will expand its emphasis on social media in a measured, iterative manner that builds on effective, cost-efficient approaches. To the extent possible, all content will be cross-promoted across radio, video, mobile and social media to increase dissemination and build audiences across demographics and platforms.

Now in its tenth year, the prestigious Excellence in New Communications Awards program honors the work of corporations, nonprofits, governmental organizations, educational institutions, media organizations and individuals who are innovating the use of digital and social media, mobile media, collaborative technologies, virtual reality, and other emerging digital communications technologies to improve business, culture, media and society.

MacArthur's goal in media grantmaking is to provide the public with high-quality, professionally-produced documentary films, deep and analytical journalism, and well-produced news and public affairs programming. In a media environment characterized by proliferating information sources of varying degrees of reliability, the Foundation seeks to support serious, fact-based journalism for television, radio and the web, the type of original reporting that is likely to be blogged about, linked to, tweeted, and otherwise circulated throughout the Internet. Programs supported by the Foundation inform and educate their viewers about important and under-reported topics, provide balance and accurate information, encourage global conversations, and use technology to tell stories in engaging and interactive ways.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages R01 research grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose to investigate whether, and how, heavy involvement in new digital media usage, particularly social media and social networking sites, may influence adolescent alcohol use and drinking patterns, as well as drinking-related problems. This FOA also encourages applications proposing to explore the ways in which new digital media may be utilized as platforms for preventive interventions aimed at underage drinking and related problems.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages R21 research grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose to investigate whether, and how, heavy involvement in new digital media usage, particularly social media and social networking sites, may influence adolescent alcohol use and drinking patterns, as well as drinking-related problems. This FOA also encourages applications proposing to explore the ways in which new digital media may be utilized as platforms for preventive interventions aimed at underage drinking and related problems. 

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a six-day workshop (inclusive of arrival and departure days) in Rangoon on Media Literacy for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), pending the availability of funds. The program will bring together 50 to 60 YSEALI members from the eleven YSEALI member countries, namely, the ten ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, who have backgrounds or current experience working in media, the opportunity to act as trainers or educators on the issue of media literacy, and leadership potential.

The U.S. Mission in Iraq announces an open competition for eligible organizations to submit proposals for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement the Media Training for Journalists in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region program. Public Affairs Section (PA) Baghdad seeks to enable Iraqi and U.S. experts to engage with Iraqi audiences, in person and via virtual platforms, on a variety of topics in accordance with Mission Iraq goals through this program. The Media Training for Journalists in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region program will provide five to ten targeted trainings for Iraqi Kurdistan Region-based journalists to improve the overall level of professionalism and adherence to ethical standards. Trainings should focus on key demographics such as women, ethnic and religious minorities, journalists at religiously-affiliated media outlets and journalists from outlets considered primary news sources in regions recently controlled by ISIS.