Center for International Media Assistance

The authorization to start CIMA was first introduced in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 in order to create an establishment of a media network that would ensure the promotion of freedom of the press and freedom of the media worldwide, respect journalistic identity, and ensure that widely accepted standards for professional and ethical journalistic and editorial practices are employed when assessing international media. This media network, later established as CIMA, was aimed to provide an effective forum to convene a broad range of individuals, organizations, and governmental participants involved in journalistic activities and the development of free and independent media. The secretary of state authorizes grants for the such funding of a media network through the National Endowment for Democracy to manage a free and independent media network. In 2006, CIMA was founded as an initiative of the National Endowment for Democracy with encouragement from Congress and a grant from the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. ==Reports==