September 28, 2009

Islam and Democracy

In Azerbaijan, a Pioneering TV Program Creates Space for Dialogue

In Azerbaijan’s most high-profile terrorist attack, a man threw a hand grenade through an open window of the Abu Bakr Mosque in Baku during evening prayers. Two people were killed and 18 injured in the August 2008 attack. In the ensuing coverage, Azerbaijan’s mainstream media generally sensationalized the events and depicted the mosque as radical and fundamentalist. In the face of what he perceived to be slander and misinformation, the mosque’s imam broke off contact with the press.

But the imam made one important exception. He granted an exclusive interview to Konul Mustafeyeva, the female anchor of a unique television program, Islam and Modern Society, and allowed its camera crew unrestricted access to the mosque and its followers. Konul had gained his trust with her sensitive and even-handed reporting on religious issues. Through the coverage on “Islam and Modern Society,” the mosque was able to dispel many of the misconceptions about it that had been circulating. More importantly, the program helped to establish a respectful and open dialogue between the religious community and the public.

Internews launched the Islam and Modern Society program in Azerbaijan in 2006. With extensive training and mentoring of local journalists, and combining high-quality television, radio, print, and online reporting, the program creates space for dialogue on religious issues in a secular nation with deep Islamic roots. When exploring these issues, the program brings together religious leaders, civil society representatives and academics to discuss relationships and identify common ground wherever possible.

Islam and Modern Society is one example of the positive role that trusted local media can play in opening dialogue—one key element of strengthening civil society.

Islam and Modern Society is funded by a grant to Internews from the US Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).

Internews is a nonprofit organization that empowers local media around the world to provide quality news and information for their communities. Internews has worked in over 70 countries and trained over 80,000 people. Together with local partners, Internews activities include establishing and supporting media outlets, journalist associations, and broadcast networks. Internews has specialized programs to improve reporting on the environment, humanitarian crises, and public health.