Promoting CROSS BORDER CITIZEN JOURNALISM AND INSTANT MEDIA PRESENCE |
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In partnership with IWPR, IFES, CI and GIPA IREX CMSPA implemented a cross border blogging initiative as part of the programs Alternative Media Elections coverage. The initiative brought together journalists and journalism students from across Armenia, including journalists from NK, Regional journalists, Armenian and Georgian students from GIPA institute and 3 on-line publication specialists. Participants were trained how to create instant media presence and provide broad spectrum of fact-based, balanced, real time coverage of the Yerevan City Council elections on May 31 using internet technologies such as blogging platforms, twitter, youtube, facebook and international journalism blogging networks.
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ELECTIONS COVERAGE THROUGH INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES |
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In support of free and fair elections and alternative media creation on, April 29-30, 2009 IREX/CMSPA organized a two-day training event on the use of blogging during the mayoral elections in Armenia. Armenian blog specialists covered the importance of integrity and credibility of blogging and the various roles alternative media plays in reinforcing the fourth estate, while CMSPA consultant Leah Kohlenberg, through editing of written stories, demonstrated how to meet international journalistic standards of factual accuracy, balance and writing quality, and use internet social technologies such as facebook and twitter to promote the blog.
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NEW WORK EXPERIENCE AT ALTERNATIVE MEDIA OUTLETS |
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IREX/CMSPA conducted a meeting with the participants of Alternative Media Scholarship Program from Caucasus Institute upon completion of their paid internship at Yerevan and region based Alternative Media outlets. During the meeting students discussed their job responsibilities designated at the media outlets, presented articles produced by them in the course of the month and discussed how the experience at the pilot alternative media outlets contributed to their professional development.
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ADVANCED COVERAGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES |
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In a cooperative initiative with the Armenia Tree Project, American University of Armenia, the Institute of Botany and the State Agrarian University IREX/CMSPA organized a two day training session on April 16-17 on the coverage of environmental issues in preparation for the production of the June issue of “This Month” featuring environmental issues such as the restoration of rural/urban areas, garbage collection and recycling in Armenia.
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ADVANCED NEWSPAPER DESIGN TRAINING |
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Editors and designers from 10 print and on-line media outlets from Yerevan and regions actively participated in the symposium on "Advanced Newspapers Design" on March 23-27, 2009 organized by IREX/CMSPA conducted by CMSPA consultant Edward Henninger. Designers and editors from Yerevan and region-based print outlets received an opportunity to review and discuss issues related to different aspects and trends of modern web and newspaper design.
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ALTERNATIVE MEDIA SCHOLARSHIP AWARD CEREMONY |
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At the completion stage of Alternative Media Internship Program IREX/CMSPA conducted a meeting with the students of Caucasus Institute, the participants of Alternative Media Exchange Program and the editors of the host media outlets on March 19, 2009 at Caucasus Institute (CI). Following the opening speech by CMSPA Chief of Party Robert Evans the Internship participants briefly talked about their experience in the frames of the project, while the editors of host media outlets thanked CMSPA for sending such bright and enthusiastic students to the regions who greatly contributed to the activities of the newspapers.
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Advanced Photojournalism |
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Thirteen photojournalists and editors from Yerevan and region based outlets participated in the symposium on Advanced Photojournalism on March 9-13, 2009 organized by Core Media Support Program for Armenia. The symposium was led by CMSPA consultant with a vast experience in the field of photojournalism Robyn Wishna.
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PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE MEDIA DEVELOPMENT |
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On February 16, 2009 CMSPA launched its four week long internship program which afforded CMSPA targeted and alternative media outlets the opportunity to send journalists and key staff to other targeted sites such as ArmeniaNow and Radio Van to gain firsthand experience in traditional and on-line publication strategies and techniques.
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ON-SITE CONSULTATIONS ON RADIO NETWORK, SALES AND PROGRAMMING |
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On February 19-March 3, 2009 IREX/CMSPA offered its assistance to Radio Hay network representatives and alternative media outlet Radio Van by organizing on-site consultations on radio network, programming, sales and audio/video streaming conducted by CMSPA consultant Stanley Matthews.
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HOW MIGRATION AFFECTS SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
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On February 19-20, 2009 IREX/CMSPA organized “Advanced Coverage of Socio-Economic Issues and Migration” symposium conducted by Leah Kohlenberg and featuring various international organizations including Eurasia Partnership Foundation, Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC), International Organization of Migration (IOM) and Social Protection Systems Strengthening project (SPSS).
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Stabilizing Radio Network
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On February 05, 2009 IREX/CMSPA organized "Radio Network" round table discussion for Directors and staff members of Radio Van, Radio Hay and its affiliates. CMSPA DCOP Aratashes Parsadanyan led the discussion.
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MOVING TOWARDS THE AGE OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY |
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On January 12-January 27, 2009 IREX CMSPA consultant Robyn Wishna conducted a series of on-site consultations for ArmeniaNow online publication and Photolure photo agency. During the consultations Ms. Wishna assisted ArmeniaNow staff in conducting interviews and hiring a photojournalist for the outlet.
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MANAGING BUSINESS WELL |
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On January 21-23, 2009 CMSPA consultants Roger Bird and Stephen Sena offered "Advanced Financial Planning" training to the second group of attendees consisting of seven representatives from three media outlets and three loan specialists from Inecobank.
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IMPROVING FINANCIAL PLANNING SKILLS |
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IREX/CMSPA organized its next quarterly "Advanced Financial Planning" symposium on January 14-16, 2009 for the first group of trainees consisting of eight representatives from three media outlets and two loan specialists from Ameria Bank.
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PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN WRITING AND TAKING PHOTOS |
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On January 14 IREX/CMSPA organized a training for Consumer Rights Protection supplement reporters to discuss and finalize their articles with the help of CMSPA consultants Leah Kohlenberga and Robyn Wishna.
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ADVANCING REPORTERS’ WRITING SKILLS |
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On January 12-13, 2009 IREX/CMSPA organized "Advanced Writing Skills" symposium for 10 print media outlets from Armenian regions and Yerevan. The symposium was conducted by CMSPA consultant Leah Kohlenberg.
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PRINT ROUNDTABLE |
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On December 23 IREX/CMSPA summoned cooperating print outlet editors to discuss their further synergies in the frames of CMSPA monthly supplements in details. The represented outlets talked about their accomplishments and challenges they experienced since the last roundtable and discussed what feedback they receive from their readers regarding CMSPA supplements and how their newspapers benefit from it.
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RADIO AND ADVERTISING STUDY TOUR TO UKRAINE |
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As a follow up to August 2008 radio internship for network management in Ukraine that focused on the Radio Lux network, IREX/CMSPA organized another study tour for Radio Hay network participants and other targeted outlets on "Radio and Advertising" on December 15-20, 2008.
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ON-SITE CONSULTATIONS ON WEB DESIGN |
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On December 3-12, 2008 IREX CMSPA consultant Caroline Allen conducted a series of on-site consultations to help Radio Van and ArmeniaNow optimize their website design, as well as worked towards the improvement of CMSPA open source website to make its use by media outlets more efficient. In advance of consultations Ms. Allen examined the websites of the above mentioned outlets and prepared a list of questions to be addressed to their in-staff designers.
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SEXUAL HEALTH IN ARMENIA |
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On October 30-31, 2008 IREX/CMSPA organized "Advanced Training on Healthcare Issues Coverage" symposium conducted by Leah Kohlenberg and featuring various Healthcare organizations including Armenian National AIDS Centre, Innovations in Support of Reproductive Health (NOVA), Primary Healthcare Reform Project (PHCR), Red Cross, Hope and Help and Scientific Association of Medical Students of Armenia (SAMSA0).
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MOVING TORWADS MORE OPTAMIZED DESIGN |
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On November 24-December 5, 2008 IREX/CMSPA offered its targeted print outlets a series of on-site consultation sessions on website and print design conducted by CMSPA consultant Edward Henninger. During the consultations Mr. Henninger focused on both website and traditional newspaper hard copy design and together with outlets’ in-staff designers worked on a long term implementation strategy that would identify strengths and weaknesses in the overall product.
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REGIONAL NEWSPAPAER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES |
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Representatives of three Ukrainian leading regional newspapers together with CMSPA consultant Oleg Khomenok conducted on-site consultations in Syunyac Yerkir, Sevan and Vanadzoryan Kchankar newspapers on “Newspaper Management Strategies” on November 17-22, 2008. The on-site consultations were organized as a follow up to the study tour to Ukraine on October 20-26, 2008 for selected managers of the targeted print outlets in Armenia.
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DEVELOPING ADVANCED STRATEGIC PLANS |
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IREX/CMSPA organized "Advanced Financial Planning" symposium on 3-4, November 2008 for the second group consisting of seven representatives from three media outlets and three loan specialists from Inecobank.
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HEALTHCARE ISSUES COVERAGE |
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On October 30-31, 2008 IREX/CMSPA organized "Advanced Training on Healthcare Issues Coverage" symposium conducted by Leah Kohlenberg and featuring various Healthcare organizations including Armenian National AIDS Centre, Innovations in Support of Reproductive Health (NOVA), Primary Healthcare Reform Project (PHCR), Red Cross, Hope and Help and Scientific Association of Medical Students of Armenia (SAMSA).
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GENERATING BUSINESS PLANS |
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IREX/CMSPA organized "Advanced Financial Planning" symposium on 27-28, October 2008 for the first group consisting of eight representatives from three media outlets and three loan specialists from Inecobank.
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PRINT MEDIA MANAGEMENT STUDY TOUR TO UKRAINE |
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Building on training and consultations in May and July 2008 conducted by CMSPA consultant Oleg Khomenok, on October 20-26, 2008 IREX/CMSPA organized an internship on “Print Media Management and Regional Elections Coverage” to Ukraine for selected managers of the targeted print outlets.
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Local Elections Second Guide |
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At the end of September, 2008 Core Media Support Program for Armenia partnered with International Foundation for Elections Systems (IFES) produced the second local elections supplement.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL ELECTIONS
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IREX/CMSPA partnered with International Foundation for Elections Systems produced a newspaper supplement as a general guide to elections in advance of local government elections in order to help voters make an informed decision at the polls during the upcoming elections in autumn 2008.
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