LocalMediaMatters second workshop

August was filled with prominent events. Fifteen Armenian journalists and media representatives gathered in Berlin for the second workshop of the #LocalMediaMatters program. The seminar was organized by the Institute for Media (IfM) and EduHub, with support from the German Federal Foreign Office as part of the “Expanding Cooperation with Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russia” program (#CivilSocietyCooperation). Participants were hosted at the new Publix House of the Schöpflin Foundation.

The program consists of three modules held in different countries and cities, taking the central role of local journalism as a starting point for systematically examining its future viability, supported by both current theoretical and practical insights. The aim is to enhance journalistic skills and techniques and to foster exchange among 15 young representatives from established media, new journalism portals, solo entrepreneurs, and academics. At the same time, participants are encouraged to reflect on their own work. This initiative creates a space for reflection, peer-to-peer coaching, and concrete project work to develop strategies for leveraging the fundamental changes brought about by digitalization in the areas of financing, production, and marketing of journalism to support regional quality journalism.

Highlights of the program included discussions with Matthias Bannert (Medieninsider), a visit to the German Bundestag, and a tour of the editorial office of Axel Springel, WELT/WamS. In addition, media and innovation expert Edith Michaeler delivered a presentation on positioning media products in a dynamic environment, helping participants begin to develop their ideas into concrete projects.

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