Park University Instructor Awarded Third Fulbright Fellowship
In the heart of Eastern Europe, Moldova – a country grappling with political instability, ethnic and linguistic divides, and the effects of regional conflict – has become the latest setting for a groundbreaking peace journalism project led by Fulbright Scholar Steve Youngblood.
As a specialist in journalism and peace studies, Youngblood's mission is to address ongoing societal tensions through media. His project, undertaken during the 2023-24 academic year, aims to promote peace journalism – a practice that fosters dialogue, understanding, and conflict resolution rather than exacerbating divisions.
The project's objectives are fourfold:
- Empowering Journalists: By equipping Moldovan journalists with peace journalism skills, Youngblood seeks to enable more balanced, empathetic, and constructive reporting on sensitive issues such as political conflicts, ethnic relations, and cross-border tensions.
- Enhancing Media Literacy: Engaging local communities and media consumers in understanding the role of media in peacebuilding, Youngblood encourages critical consumption of news.
- Building Networks: Facilitating connections between Moldovan journalists, peace activists, scholars, and international media organizations, Youngblood fosters ongoing collaboration and support.
- Producing Peace-Focused Content: Supporting the creation and dissemination of news stories and multimedia content that promote conflict resolution, humanize all parties involved, and spotlight successful peace initiatives.
The project's impact has been significant:
- Journalist Empowerment: Dozens of journalists have been trained in peace journalism techniques, integrating these approaches into their day-to-day reporting.
- Media Shift: There has been a noticeable increase in the number of news stories framed around reconciliation, dialogue, and shared societal values rather than sensational conflict.
- Public Engagement: Improved awareness among Moldovan citizens about the impact of media on social cohesion and conflict, leading to more critical media consumption.
- Sustainable Peace Journalism Culture: Establishment of ongoing workshops, peer networks, and resources that continue to support peace journalism practice beyond the scope of the Fulbright project.
Youngblood's teaching focus will be on peace journalism and countering misinformation. His selection for the 2020-21 Luxembourg Peace Prize for Outstanding Peace Journalism is a testament to his commitment to promoting peace through media. The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board made the selection.
The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program, is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Youngblood has been a recipient of the program twice before, receiving awards in 2001 to teach in Moldova and another in 2007 to teach in Azerbaijan.
Youngblood, a member of Park University's faculty since 1997, serves as the associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism. He has been recognized for his service to global peace by the U.S. Department of State and Rotary International.
As he embarks on this new chapter in Moldova, Youngblood will work with two journalism organizations and a youth organization. His work will culminate in teaching at Moldova State University during the 2023-24 academic year.
Moldova, geographically surrounded by Ukraine, has been bombarded by Russian misinformation and disinformation. The country also houses a small Russian-backed breakaway republic, Transnistria, occupied by 1,500 Russian troops. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations also provide support for the Fulbright Program.
Youngblood's work in Moldova is a beacon of hope for peaceful coexistence and understanding in a region fraught with conflict. His dedication to peace journalism and countering misinformation serves as a model for journalists and media consumers alike.
In this context, Youngblood's work on peace journalism and countering misinformation aims to facilitate personal growth and career development for Moldovan journalists, contributing to the education-and-self-development of the media industry. As his efforts promote understanding and conflict resolution, they also contribute to the wider mission of peacebuilding in Moldova and beyond, furthering the goal of personal growth for the entire society.
The project's sustained focus on empowering journalists, building networks, and producing peace-focused content has demonstrated that peace journalism can foster dialogue, enhance media literacy, and encourage critical media consumption, thereby playing a crucial role in long-term career-development for journalists and crucial contributions to personal-growth for the citizens of Moldova.
