Media
Media development action with informed and engaged societies
Media
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Caucasus Human Rights and Media Development Programme - Caucasus Region

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Since 1996, Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) has been working with print journalists in the North and South Caucasus to raise professional standards; heighten awareness of human rights, corruption, and governance; and improve communication within a region divided by conflict and misunderstanding. The programme works by supporting development of the skills and independence of journalists working in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia (the South Caucasus), the 3 separatist territories inside them (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorny Karabakh), and the 7 republics of the Russian North Caucasus (Adygeia, Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachai-Cherkessia, and North Ossetia). The programme's purpose is to improve understanding of, and encourage respect for, human rights, transparent government, and the ongoing processes of conflict resolution and democratisation in the post-Soviet Caucasus region.
Communication Strategies
Key programme activities include journalistic training, publication, and regular roundtable discussions involving representatives of local stakeholder groups.

Specifically, IWPR's London, UK and local staff provide practical skills training to journalists in an effort to help them produce objective and reliable real-time reporting on human rights, corruption, and conflict-related issues for the local press. This training is provided through individual and group sessions in the region, as well as long-distance learning, via the Internet, with London-based specialist staff.

Trainees then contribute to the following publications:
  • Caucasus Reporting Service: This locally written news analysis service, covering the whole region, is published weekly on the IWPR site and via e-mail subscription in English and Russian. A special emphasis is placed on bridging divides by providing reports from different perspectives in 7 areas of actual, frozen, or potential conflict in the region.
  • Special Reports: The Caucasus project has published special reports on drugs, human rights, smuggling, and Abkhazia. Investigative reports are planned on issues of corruption and poor governance plaguing the region.
  • Republication: Articles in English, Russian and local languages are republished free of charge in the local language Caucasian print and electronic media; wider dissemination is a goal.
IWPR is also active in raising awareness among journalists, state and civil society actors, and the public about the societal role played by the media. Professional and ethical issues are explored at workshops and in roundtable discussions. In the North Caucasus, IWPR partner Memorial conducts media monitoring. The Caucasus Reporting Service also draws attention to media developments throughout the region, particularly legislative and other state measures governing it.

IWPR encourages information exchange and networking among journalists and NGOs, and, where possible, between these civil society actors and the authorities. IWPR's website and email postings are designed to foster cross-sector collaboration. In addition, regular roundtable discussions focus on regional social and political issues. IWPR's partners include a number of human rights organisations in the region, which participate in IWPR events and collaborate with contributing journalists.
Development Issues

Conflict Resolution, Rights, Collaboration, Media Development.

Partners

Memorial; various local human rights organisations. Funders: the Open Society Institute, the Dutch government, the Danish government, and the European Union.

Sources

Caucasus page on IWPR site.