Exchange Alumna Embraces Alternative Media as Tool for Democratization
A USAID-sponsored visit to Ohio inspired freelance journalist Zenfira Alibayova to write about her experience in a series of articles on recent trends in American media. Alibayova and nine colleagues from Azerbaijan spent three weeks in the U.S. exploring issues of media defense, alternative media and new trends toward participatory media; they also learned about American culture by staying with host families.
In Alibayova’s series, “Flying to America,” she examines the role of American journalists as independent watchdogs that monitor the work of public officials and bring important news to readers in interactive ways. According to the articles, published by the online newspaper Contact, visits to Ohio State University and the offices of The Columbus Dispatch greatly impacted her understanding of media's role in society. Alibayova hopes that the media in Azerbaijan will adopt many of the practices she observed, noting that “creating a more open process of discussion through blogs and forums will influence the freedom with which Azerbaijanis talk about issues of public significance and express their own views.” Today, Alibayova is developing a training program on alternative media for Azerbaijani journalists and intends to draw upon the connections she made while in the U.S.
Community Connections, funded by USAID, is a professional and cultural exchange program that encourages public-private partnerships, provides professional exposure to day-to-day functions of the American business, media and government, and creates links between the U.S. and Azerbaijani regions and communities.
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Zenfira Alibayova visited Ohio State University during her Community Connections exchange to Ohio.
Photo Credit: Community Connections/Project Harmony |
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