Transfrontier Reporting Connects

A series of multimedia materials produced by journalists from Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia is launched in the framework of the regional project titled “The Neighbors.”

Five teams from three countries – Ziarul de Garda, Association of Environment and Ecotourism Journalists (Moldova), Channel 24 (Ukraine), Studio Monitor and a group of independent journalists (Georgia) – have produced transfrontier reports on topics of regional interest: urban development, oligarchic government, propaganda, occupied territories, production of wine and alternative energy. The first regional material on energy independence in the three countries, prepared by the Association of Environment and Ecotourism Journalists, was published in Moldova on January 4, 2018. Another regional report, on oligarchy in the three countries, was prepared by the newspaper Ziarul de Gardă. All regional reports will be published by local media partners from Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia.

“The three countries had a common past, but the list of features that unite them today is also immense: from separatist conflicts to problems with export markets and energy sources, to dubious government systems and... oligarchs. Our project is an opportunity for journalists from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to rediscover these similarities and remember that what they notice at their neighbors is, in fact, the image of their own country,” said Angela Sirbu, project director.

The participating media outlets and journalists received grants of USD 6,000 from the regional project “Strengthening Independence in Communication Media in Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia”, which aims to improve access to information and media literacy among the citizens of the three countries. The project is implemented by the Independent Journalism Center (Moldova), Intrenews Ukraine and Internews Georgia, in partnership with Internews (United States of America). Intrenews Ukraine provided editorial and management supervision.