Fulbright Update:
Media Azi leads the way on media transparency, literacy
In countries where disinformation is especially problematic, like the U.S. and Moldova, any information that demystifies and analyzes the media is a vitally necessary first step in a long process of building a media literate society.

Moldovans can find this vital information about media on an innovative website, Media Azi (Media Today). According to its website, “Media Azi  publishes relevant information in the field of media on a daily basis in order to explain phenomena, tendencies, and problems related to the information space in the Republic of Moldova to the general public. In a never-ending flow of local and international news about the press, interviews, analytical articles, broadcasts, and cartoons, we suggest creating a sufficient informational environment for anyone who is eager to get the latest news from the Moldovan press and have a well-grounded opinion.”

The site is a production of the Independent Journalism Center, and disseminates content in Romanian, Russian, and English.

Media Azi spotlights media in several areas, including “News” (e.g. banned channels, licensing issues, online harassment of journalists);  “Media in the World” (Gaza journalists killed, AI tool developed), “Opinion” (Where are the billions of NGO’s going?, and Covering elections: Mission (im)possible); “Interviews” (journalists, UN and government officials); and “Refugees in the Media” (Harmful narratives, journalistic sources).

I was honored to be asked to write two pieces for the “Refugees in the Media” section.

In the first column, I discussed how “Media are stuck on traditional narratives about refugees.” I wrote, “Moldova currently houses more refugees per capita than any other country, according to the International Centre for Migration Policy Development. With a population of 2.6 million, the country is home to 119,000 refugees as of 3 October, 2023. Border crossings from Ukraine since 24 February 2022 number 952,819, according to UNHCR. 

“For humanitarian NGO’s and social service providers, the implications of this large migration are obvious. Equally challenging are the implications of mass migration for media houses and journalists. For journalists, the challenge is to break out of traditionally negative narratives about refugees, and offer compassionate counter-narratives that debunk negative stereotypes while building bridges between the refugees and their host communities,” I wrote.

In my second article, I laid out how “Peace Journalism offers the key to responsible refugee reporting.” I presented several suggestions about PJ and refugee reporting, including considering the consequences of one’s reporting; giving more leeway in granting anonymous or first name only interviews; avoiding using language or images that rely on or reinforce stereotypes, racism, sexism, or xenophobia; showing compassion; offering counter-narratives that challenge traditionally negative narratives; partnering with fellow journalists who are themselves displaced or migrants; and humanizing individuals and their stories, looking for examples that illustrate larger statistics or trends.

Media Azi’s tagline is, “For Journalistic Integrity.” There is no better way to reach this goal than through an open, analytical discussion of the issues facing media practitioners today, whether it’s in Moldova, the U.S., or anywhere else. Media Azi is a great place to engage in this discussion, and a model for proponents of media transparency and literacy to emulate.