Media Helping Media

Caucasus bloggers enhancing understanding

Published on Thursday, 31 December 2009

Written by David Brewer

  

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.

Overcoming "negative stereotypes"

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.

"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.

Independent of political or commercial agendas

Some in mainstream media welcome the perspectives offered by such initiatives. Richard Sambrook, the Director BBC Global News, says bloggers play a valuable role.

"Social media provides increasingly important opportunities for an independent perspective on society or politics. Citizens can determine for themselves how their lives are seen and portrayed - independently of any political or commercial agenda."

Krikorian says the project 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.

Picking up where regional media has failed

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."

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[important color=green title=David Brewer]The author, David Brewer, set up and runs this site, Media Helping Media. He also runs Media Ideas International Ltd and tweets @helpingmedia.[/important]

  

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