Caucasus: Mar ‘08

Journalists from South Ossetia who took part in an IWPR workshop in Tbilisi said it helped them to overcome their fears of travelling to other parts of Georgia.



Tensions between South Ossetia and Georgia increased in 1989, and a conflict erupted two years later. The hostilities resulted in some 2,000 deaths and another 100,000 people became refugees.



“Many [of us had] to get over barriers, both psychological and physical, to come here. I am glad we have surmounted all the barriers,” said Temur Tskhovrebov, editor of the Tskhinvali-based newspaper XXI Century, one of the seven journalists who took part in the two-day news writing course.



Tskhovrebov said the course had helped to challenge his negative preconceptions about Georgia, “I had thought I knew everything, but I saw Tbilisi in an absolutely different light.”



The seven journalists have all been working for XXI Century – the only independent newspaper in South Ossetia, which was launched in 2006 with help of IWPR.



Staffed by both Ossetian and Georgian journalists, the newspaper provides people in the region with a source of unbiased information. It closed temporarily due to shortages of funds, and reopened in 2007 with the help of IWPR.



During the workshop, taken by trainers Mark Grigorian of the BBC and IWPR Georgia country director Shorena Ratiani, the participating journalists – six Ossetians and one Georgian – learnt about the importance of producing unbiased reporting on conflict issues, and were also introduced to difference writing styles.



Over the two days, the trainees had to analyse several reports which had been prepared in advance by the course leaders. There was also discussion about the role the internet could play in helping to develop the skills of South Ossetian journalists.



Towards the end of the course, the participants researched and wrote stories, with advice and guidance from the trainers.



“I decided to ask the journalists to prepare a report on Tbilisi,” said Grigorian. “I thought this would help them overcome their psychological barriers [concerning writing about Georgia] and this is what happened in the end.”



The trainees generally felt positively about the experience of working in the Georgian capital. “It was especially good to feel in Tbilisi such a tolerant, warm attitude towards us,” said participant Bella Valieva.