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Bloggers enhancing understanding in the Caucasus
BY DAVID BREWER
THURSDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2009
An online project, bringing together new and social media, is aiming to
enhance understanding between the ethnic groups across the South Caucasus.
Those behind the initiative say it's been organised because local
mainstream media is failing to inform and instead is "pushing partisan
propaganda".
They say that only an informed, responsible and active 'middle media' of
concerned bloggers and social network users can fill the gap in
understanding in the region - a gap which those involved say is being
negatively exploited by those who want to spread "misinformation" and
"negative sterotype views" across the region.
However, they are hoping that by filling the information gap, left
vacant by local media, they may force media managers in the region to
start to address the real issues and reflect life as it really is.
According to Onnik Krikorian, a British journalist/photographer based in
Armenia, the initiative is the result of his work and friendship with
prominent blogger Arzu Geybullayeva, who blogs at Flying Carpets and
Broken Pipelines.
Krikorian, who is the Caucasus editor for Global Voices Online and
Armenian editor for Oneworld.net, says the project has been set up to
overcome negative stereotypes in the South Caucasus.
"The project aims to promote positive examples of ethnic groups
coexisting peacefully in a volatile region riven with frozen
conflicts.However, they are hoping that by filling the information gap,
left vacant by local media, they may force media managers in the region
to start to address the real issues and reflect life as it really is.
"It is an attempt to provide an alternative to what is usually a
partisan local media that not only self-censors, but also spreads
misinformation and negative propaganda," he writes.
Now two young bloggers, Vusala Alibayli and Khanim Javadova, who are
also studying journalism, have joined the project and are working
alongside Global Voices Online writer Dodi Kharkheli in the initiative.
Krikorian says the initiative is important because it represents
individuals, some working in the media others not, taking matters into
their own hands by reporting on issues -- in this case cultural
diversity and positive examples of ethnic Armenians and Azeris
coexisting together. Issues which Krikorian says the local mainstream
media, government and opposition alike, has neglected.
"Instead of mainly focusing on the negatives as the media does, we felt
it was time to report on what are arguably far more positive stories. We
hope to pick up where the media in the region has failed."
He says the project has so far shown many previously unreported stories
of Armenians and Azeris coexisting or even genuinely cooperate together.
"With mainstream media failing to report the whole story, we wanted to
show that alternative voices can be heard online. If this project is
successful, perhaps that mainstream media will be pushed into doing the
same.
"Without it, especially in a region where ethnic divisions are used to
perpetuate a lack of democracy or tolerance, there's a huge question
mark over the long term future and stability of the South Caucasus."
---
http://www.mediahelpingmedia. org/content/view/551/198/
BY DAVID BREWER
THURSDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2009
An online project, bringing together new and social media, is aiming to
enhance understanding between the ethnic groups across the South Caucasus.
Those behind the initiative say it's been organised because local
mainstream media is failing to inform and instead is "pushing partisan
propaganda".
They say that only an informed, responsible and active 'middle media' of
concerned bloggers and social network users can fill the gap in
understanding in the region - a gap which those involved say is being
negatively exploited by those who want to spread "misinformation" and
"negative sterotype views" across the region.
However, they are hoping that by filling the information gap, left
vacant by local media, they may force media managers in the region to
start to address the real issues and reflect life as it really is.
According to Onnik Krikorian, a British journalist/photographer based in
Armenia, the initiative is the result of his work and friendship with
prominent blogger Arzu Geybullayeva, who blogs at Flying Carpets and
Broken Pipelines.
Krikorian, who is the Caucasus editor for Global Voices Online and
Armenian editor for Oneworld.net, says the project has been set up to
overcome negative stereotypes in the South Caucasus.
"The project aims to promote positive examples of ethnic groups
coexisting peacefully in a volatile region riven with frozen
conflicts.However, they are hoping that by filling the information gap,
left vacant by local media, they may force media managers in the region
to start to address the real issues and reflect life as it really is.
"It is an attempt to provide an alternative to what is usually a
partisan local media that not only self-censors, but also spreads
misinformation and negative propaganda," he writes.
Now two young bloggers, Vusala Alibayli and Khanim Javadova, who are
also studying journalism, have joined the project and are working
alongside Global Voices Online writer Dodi Kharkheli in the initiative.
Krikorian says the initiative is important because it represents
individuals, some working in the media others not, taking matters into
their own hands by reporting on issues -- in this case cultural
diversity and positive examples of ethnic Armenians and Azeris
coexisting together. Issues which Krikorian says the local mainstream
media, government and opposition alike, has neglected.
"Instead of mainly focusing on the negatives as the media does, we felt
it was time to report on what are arguably far more positive stories. We
hope to pick up where the media in the region has failed."
He says the project has so far shown many previously unreported stories
of Armenians and Azeris coexisting or even genuinely cooperate together.
"With mainstream media failing to report the whole story, we wanted to
show that alternative voices can be heard online. If this project is
successful, perhaps that mainstream media will be pushed into doing the
same.
"Without it, especially in a region where ethnic divisions are used to
perpetuate a lack of democracy or tolerance, there's a huge question
mark over the long term future and stability of the South Caucasus."
---
http://www.mediahelpingmedia. org/content/view/551/198/