Media Development as Instrument for Conflict
Prevention in Samtskhe-Javakheti
June 2001-October 2001
Rationale
Media coverage on the situation in he Samtskhe-Javakheti, a region in southern
Georgia with important ethnic Armenian population, has often led to increase
in tension around the region. Whether news sources in the Armenian, Georgian
or the Russian media, they often remained one-sided, politically motivated,
and lacking first hand information and experience from the region concerned.
The inhabitants of the region itself is isolated, and lacks resources, and
have no capacity to voice their own concerns. Local representatives lack
experience in dialogue and negotiations, and while voicing often justified
local concerns, whether concerning social, economic or political issues,
their declarations are formulated in clumsy ways. Media sources from outside
the region concerned magnifies such declarations, and adds to the existing
tensions.
Objective
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The goal of the project is to
propose a strategy plan for the development of the media sector in
Samtskhe-Javakheti, and bring them out of their current isolation.
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Concrete project proposals for the development
of media in Samtskhe-Javakheti
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Results
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Two fact finding missions to the
region were organized |
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Georgian and Armenian newspapers were monitored
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A workshop was organized in Akhalkalaki
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A strategy plan was proposed to OSCE/HCNM
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Contact
 Vicken.Cheterian@cimera.org
Mandated by
OSCE/High Commissioner on National Minorities
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