A conference on “Young Journalists’ Consolidation for Media Independence” took place on October 30 in Tbilisi. Throughout the conference, organized by the Journalists for the Future NGO (JFF), media representatives from Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan discussed a number of issues concerning media independence.

The conference purpose was to consolidate professional and young journalists who are concerned in the issue and ready to use their experience and skills in favor of the media stabilization and the democracy establishment in the region. “Our task is to create a favorable atmosphere for communication and cooperation between journalists of three countries. Consolidating we want to jointly participate in solution of problems related to freedom of speech and promote unbiased coverage of the events in the region,” said JFF President Suren Deheryan.

Presentations on “Efficiency of Application of Social Networks and Blogs in New Media” were represented by conference participants from three countries. Also issues regarding students’ professional education at journalism departments of universities and job acquisition were raised.

A conference on “Young Journalists’ Consolidation for Media Independence” took place on October 30 in Tbilisi. Throughout the conference, organized by the Journalists for the Future NGO (JFF), media representatives from Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan discussed a number of issues concerning media independence.

The conference purpose was to consolidate professional and young journalists who are concerned in the issue and ready to use their experience and skills in favor of the media stabilization and the democracy establishment in the region. “Our task is to create a favorable atmosphere for communication and cooperation between journalists of three countries. Consolidating we want to jointly participate in solution of problems related to freedom of speech and promote unbiased coverage of the events in the region,” said JFF President Suren Deheryan.

Presentations on “Efficiency of Application of Social Networks and Blogs in New Media” were represented by conference participants from three countries. Also issues regarding students’ professional education at journalism departments of universities and job acquisition were raised.

One of Azerbaijani participants studying at Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management noted that editorials don’t usually have enough time for students undergoing practical training, and there are almost no universities producing journalists ready to work.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:8:]]According to Lasha Kveseladze, reporter of TV Company “Rustavi 2”, one of the urgent issues for young journalists of the region is the lack of professional literature providing local specificities. “It would be nice to prepare a journalism manual based on practical examples from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia,” said Kveseladze.

Maia Mikashavidze, dean of the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management in Tbilisi, said the conference turned to be the “first swallow for communication between the Journalism School graduates from the Caucasus countries.” Journalists for the Future (JFF) is a non-profit NGO founded in 2007 by 20 young journalists, editors and media managers, most of whom have graduated from Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management.

The Conference “Young Journalists’ Consolidation for Media Independence” was organized with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland to Georgia and Armenia and US Embassy in Armenia.