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Fellowship Programme

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IDEA BANK
EAPCIVILSOCIETY.EU

Topic: Media

Solidarity Journalism for Peace and Security

Fellowship Summary: To contribute to mitigating misinformation through joint training activities with Georgian and Ukrainian journalists, development of a module for media and CSOs, and broadcasting podcasts.

Under the captivating banner of “History Keepers,” Mariam Gersamia spearheaded a transformative Fellowship project aimed at fostering solidarity journalism for peace and security. Her project encompassed a wide array of activities that strengthened the bond between civically minded citizens of Georgia and Ukraine, all while elevating awareness concerning media coverage of vulnerable groups in Ukraine.

One of the notable achievements of this initiative was the creation and implementation of a joint training module and syllabus for universities titled “Solidarity Journalism in a Global Era.” This syllabus, approved and executed at Tbilisi State University’s graduate program “Media Psychology and Communications,” was a resounding success, engaging 15 students in the fall semester, including international students from Europe. The syllabus marks a pivotal step in shaping the future of journalism and nurturing a new generation of journalists focused on solidarity.

The project extended its reach through diverse activities, including webinars, training sessions, discussions featuring renowned journalists and civic activists, and an awarding ceremony for the “History Keepers.” Additionally, Mariam’s team produced podcasts, academic blogs, social media content, and quizzes focused on the history of Ukraine, Russian disinformation, and the essence of solidarity journalism.

The impact of Mariam’s Fellowship project has been far-reaching. Beneficiaries include students, media organizations, educators, and civil society organizations in both Ukraine and Georgia. The legacy of this project is one of increased awareness about solidarity journalism, the history of Ukraine and its people, and the establishment of the “History Keepers” programme. This initiative has fortified networks of support and understanding between Georgian and Ukrainian communities and promises to shape the future of journalism, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration across borders.

Check some of the resources produced by the project:

Country Georgia
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Countering the Pro-Kremlin Disinformation Campaign in Georgia

The project: Countering the Pro-Kremlin Disinformation Campaign in Georgia is a research carried out in cooperation with the European Values Think Tank under the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Fellowship. The project addressed the lack of information in terms of pro-kremlin propaganda in Georgia; it reviewed the efforts that government and civil society organizations have taken to challenge the hostile information activities, including those targeting the religious segments of the society. The research aimed to contribute to a better understanding of how to prevent and manage the potentially harmful impact of disinformation on countries with similar social fabric and political environments.

The project produced an academic paper on Russia’s Disinformation Activities and Counter-Measures. In his research, Tornike reviewed the main lessons learned from Georgia’s experience in tackling the pro-Kremlin disinformation, and developed a list of recommendations for improving the effectiveness of these counter-measures. The document also served as a basis for a Georgia chapter in the 2018 ranking of countermeasures by the EU and EaP countries to the Kremlin’s subversion operations. Overall, Tornike’s research contributed to the conceptual understanding of the nature and characteristics of pro-­Russian disinformation campaigns. Besides, the research was one of the very first systemic introductions of Georgia in the ongoing discourse on pro-Russian disinformation campaigns in Europe.

Country Georgia
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