YEREVAN, Armenia — From July 8 through 10, within the framework of the U.S. Embassy Yerevan-supported Master of Arts in Multiplatform Journalism program with the American University of Armenia (AUA), AUA’s Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) hosted faculty from Washington State University (WSU) for a roundtable on the use of virtual reality and emerging technologies, workshops on newsroom ethics and on covering forced migration, and a lecture about information integrity and digital platforms.
Dr. Bimbisar Irom, assistant professor in journalism and media production at WSU’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, led the roundtable on the use of emerging technologies by organizations that provide assistance to those affected by crises and disasters with the goal of saving lives, alleviating suffering, and maintaining human dignity. The discussion examined best practices emerging in the United States and generated ideas regarding the effective and ethical use of such technologies.
“The media’s role in humanitarian disasters has morphed rapidly with the incorporation of technological developments in newsrooms,” Dr. Irom said. “As critical observers, students, and practitioners of the media, it is incumbent on us to understand the rapid changes and deploy new technologies to best serve the interests of those trapped in humanitarian crises situations.”
Dr. Irom also led the workshop on ethics in the newsroom, focusing on some of the major ethical issues that confront journalists and how U.S. news organizations are addressing them. During the session, participants discussed ways to navigate ethical concerns related to issues such as objectivity, privacy, and more.
Additionally, Dr. Irom facilitated the workshop on covering forced migration — the involuntary movement of people from their homes or regions due to factors like conflict, persecution, or natural disasters — based on the latest research conducted in the U.S. in the field of humanitarian reporting. The workshop featured a lively discussion about how newsrooms can humanize their subjects while covering this crucial area.
Lastly, Dr. Porismita Borah, professor at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, gave a lecture on the flow of information in digital news and information platforms, highlighting some of the challenges and solutions being implemented in U.S. newsrooms.
“The accuracy of information is a critical part of our everyday lives, without which we may not be able to make important decisions,” Dr. Borah said. “Although the misuse of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) increases some of these challenges, the same tools may also help us find solutions.”
Dr. Irom and Dr. Borah’s talks marked the latest in a series of WSU faculty visits to AUA. In June 2024, WSU professors hosted workshops on AI and social media. In March 2024, WSU professors organized training sessions on data use and visualization in journalism, multiplatform reporting for the rapid news cycle, and tips on using literary techniques to enhance news writing.
The American University of Armenia, in partnership with Washington State University, signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 to establish a Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) and create a new master’s program in multiplatform journalism. The $2,593,221.05, six-year university partnership program is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan (the Embassy’s contribution is $2,171,462.49) to support Armenia’s higher education sector. CEJ will serve as a hub for journalism education and leadership in research, training, best practices and collaboration with leading experts and policy makers that advances knowledge of how quality journalism can serve as a bulwark against misinformation and improve networking within Armenia’s journalism ecosystem. The Center also offers professional development programs serving the wider media community.
