Exchange program for Young Journalists 2020
#FacingFake: German-Georgian Journalist Exchange
On July 1, 2016, Georgia and the European Union signed a treaty of association which encouraged a series of reforms in the state located in the Southern Caucasus. At the same time, a lot of conflicts are still unresolved. The two renegade Georgian provinces Abkhazia and South Ossetia, currently military controlled by Russia, have led to an unresolved ‘frozen conflict’ between Georgia and Russia. Protests in Tbilisi against Russia’s influence on Georgian politic show how tensed the situation is. Campaigns of disinformation have a destabilising influence on the country and pose a huge challenge on the often underfunded media landscape controlled by oligarchic structures. ‘Fake news’ campaigns are often directed against the European Union itself and the effects of the European Neighbourhood policy on Georgia.
Realisation and Goals
The aim of the project of Deutsche Gesellschaft e. V. and our partner Media Development Foundation is to make young journalists from Germany and Georgia aware to the issue of disinformation and qualify them to detect and tackle campaigns of disinformation. Research trips to Berlin and Tbilisi allow journalists from both countries to learn about ‘fake news’ in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy. These trips include workshops, expert discussions with policymakers, media NGOs and other key players as well as the possibility to exchange experiences. At the same time the participants have the chance to conduct their own thematic research in the partner state they are visiting. The results of their work will be published on the online platform Myth Detector run by the MDF. This will ensure an increased visibility of the topic.
Research trip and further information
Research trip to Tbilisi (for German journalists), 2-8 November 2020
Research trip to Berlin (for Georgian journalists), 16-22 November 2020
If you are interested in the project and want to receive additional information - just send us an E-mail. German participants can apply for the trip to Georgia from 01.07.2020 to 30.08.2020. The announcement and further details and information on the application process can be found here. There will be no participation fee - most costs will be covered.
We are constantly monitoring the situation concerning the spread of COVID-19 and the current regulations in both countries to evaluate the situation. Changes of the program, including a medium- to short-term cancellation of the study trip or establishing a digital program, may be possible if the Deutsche Gesellschaft e. V. and our partners conclude that we cannot guarantee the necessary measures for health prevention to ensure a safe study trip without increased risks of infection. Please consider our information on how we are planning to deal with the current situation regarding COVID-19.
The project is part of the program ‘Expanding Cooperation with Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russia (Eastern Partnership Programme)’ funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. #CivilSocietyCooperation
Contact:
Johanna Bojahr
Department EU & Europe
Tel.: +49 30 88412 150
» E-Mail
Partner:
Funded by:
