CAUCASUS TIMES – IN-DEPTH – 2008
5. PROJECT GOALS
1. To increase level of awareness in Russia about the processes going on in the North Caucasus region.
2. To promote developing positive public opinion about the North Caucasus.
3. To increase the role of civil institutions in the dialogue between society and the state.
4. To present full and precise picture of those problems, which are typical not only for the North Caucasus, but for the whole Russia, in the first place limitation of democratic values, dismantling of civil society institutions, formation of a soft authoritarian regime.
5. Dissemination of the principles of the modern democratic Islam, discussion of various aspects of beliefs to show that democracy and Islam do not contradict to each other.
6. EVALUATION OF PROJECT
Topics, which will be raised and discussed in our analytical articles and interviews, will arouse discussions in mass media, which, in turn, would put a pressure on the government to more adequately react to the events in the North Caucasus.
Main criteria judging success of this project is a quantity and quality of references to our articles in the Russian and international mass media.
7. ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION
The founder of the project is the information agency “Medium-Orient”.
“Medium-Orient” is a Czech information agency, which specializes in the creation and maintenance of independent media, publication of scientific books, the study of public opinion, as well as consulting services.
“Medium-Orient” markets the following products: 1) The information agency Caucasus Times (www.caucasustimes.com). CT is a news and analysis on-line agency, which specializes in coverage of events connected with human rights abuses in North Caucasus. It has been running since 2002. 2) The center for public opinion studies “An Independent Point of View,” which has been running since 2004. The center conducts monthly polls in North Caucasian republics, focusing on the most pressing political, social and economic issues. It also studies the response to media which broadcast to Russia. 3) The annual publication “The Northern Caucasus: a look from within,” published since 2004. The publication contains information about influential media in the region, as well as political and social attitudes. 4) The school of journalism. The agency offers journalism courses to improve the qualifications of journalists working in Russia. The project will commence in 2008. 5) Prague-based meetings and scientific conferences for donors, NGOs, scientists and journalists who study rights and freedoms in former Soviet states.