Donors:
DRL/Internews Network subgrant

Implementers:
Internews Azerbaijan Public Association,
"Yeni Nasil" Journalist Union

Goals of the project are to:

• improve the quality and quantity of information about Islam and democracy that is accessible to citizens in Azerbaijan, ensuring that a broad range of viewpoints is heard.
• increase the media capacity and journalistic expertise on the areas of Islam and democracy.
• strengthen the network and communication of journalists from multiple media sources throughout Azerbaijan to engage on the issues of Islam, democracy, and civil society.

Modern Society and Islam TV program

Over the two year program, a total of forty semimonthly TV magazine programs will be produced and broadcast on public TV and on regional stations. Production will be constant throughout the program, usually twice a month, with exceptions made during the first and last months, for start-up and close-out, and during both Augusts, when journalists involved take their annual leave.

Watch it on "MTV" Mingachevir, "Aygun TV" Zaqatala, "Qutb TV" and "Khayal TV" Quba, "Simurq TV" Tovuz, "Dunya TV" Sumqayit, "Alternativ TV" Ganja

read the latest issue of the TV program...

Islam and Democracy Talk show

Some of the highest profile activities will be the four 60-minute talk shows that will be broadcast on TV and regional stations. These talk shows will include a 20-30 person studio audience and expert guests who will be selected with great care to reflect a diverse range of perspectives.

Watch it on "MTV" Mingachevir, "Aygun TV" Zaqatala, "Qutb TV" and "Khayal TV" Quba, "Simurq TV" Tovuz, "Dunya TV" Sumqayit, "Alternativ TV" Ganja

read the latest issue of the Talk show...

Islam and Democracy Radio program

Internews engage freelance reporters and partner with the Radio Liberty to produce a monthly run half-hour radio program dedicated to the Islam and Democratization issues. In fact, our plan is production of 22 half hour radio programs on a monthly basis.

The primary goal of the radio project focuses to objectively inform the population on problems of Islam and democratization, as well as coverage activities of diverse religious structures and communities, state bodies impeding an efficient solution of vital problems, democracy values and principles, role and location of religion in legally protected state and civil society, as well as tolerance and indulgence.

During two years, Internews plans to embrace at least 15 regions of the country with efficient and unbiased radio packages. The potential audience of radio production is considerably wide that reaches 7 millions of radio listeners.

Listen to it on Radio Azadlig

Small Grants

Small awards of up to $300 will be made available to journalists for in-depth reporting projects relevant to the themes discussed during the roundtable conferences. A total of 20 grants will be awarded over the lifetime of the project, with five grants being awarded in the same months as the roundtable conferences.

Turkey Study tour

Contingent upon the securing of additional funding, a Turkey study tour is planned to take place approximately one year into the life of the program. This would allow enough time to identify the most active of program participants and contributors, with enough time remaining to utilize their experiences and lessons learned into other key program activities.

Textbook Publication

One major output of the program will be the reference publication which will summarize current Azeri thinking on Islam and politics as well as describe key organizations working in this area. After publication, it will be distributed to journalists and journalism students throughout the country.