State Department grant spends $500,000 on 'social media influencers' in Tajikistan


A new State Department grant will spend $500,000 in U.S. taxpayer money to subsidize bloggers and social media influencers in the Central Asian country of Tajikistan, Real Clear Policy reported Tuesday.
The grant notice, which is dated Jan. 7, estimated that the U.S. Mission to Tajikistan would give out 25 awards of between $10,000 and $50,000. The application deadline was Feb. 20.
The grant reportedly aims to further "the development of Tajikistan's democratic institutions and civil society" by funding "local journalists and bloggers" and "increas[ing the] professionalism of social media influencers on topics of public interest and inspir[ing] them to post more on such subjects."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
These topics include spreading "messages of tolerance" to "counter violent extremism," supporting "women's empowerment," and promoting "environmental awareness and action."
The latest State Department report indicates that there were "no reported terrorist incidents in Tajikistan in 2020."
The United Nations' Gender Inequality Index show that Tajikistani women are less likely than American women to die in childbirth and hold a similar proportion of seats in their country's parliament, though they also have babies younger and participate in the labor force at significantly lower rates than their American counterparts.
According to the Global Carbon Project, Tajikistan produces .03 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Google avoids the worst in antitrust ruling
Speed Read A federal judge rejected the government's request to break up Google
-
Colleges are being overwhelmed with active shooter hoaxes
In the Spotlight More than a dozen colleges have reported active shooter prank calls
-
US kills 11 on 'drug-carrying boat' off Venezuela
Speed Read Trump claimed those killed in the strike were 'positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists' shipping drugs to the US
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to US
Speed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU offices
Speed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Speed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
Israeli double strike on Gaza hospital kills 20
Speed Read The dead include five journalists who worked for The Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peace
Speed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position