YEREVAN, Armenia — From July 28 to 31, The Armenia Project (TAP), in collaboration with the American University of Armenia (AUA), held journalism masterclasses for students in the recently launched Master of Arts in Multiplatform Journalism (MAMJ) program and members of the public. The sessions were led by three distinguished professors from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, who taught on trauma reporting, conflict coverage, and developing media ethics guidelines.
Held in AUA’s Akian Art Gallery, the masterclasses thoroughly engaged the MAMJ students, visitors from Yerevan State University, young journalists from various news organizations in Yerevan through role-playing exercises that involved covering trauma victims and writing sample social media leads for stories. These activities prompted spirited discussions about trying to maintain neutrality and fair coverage in a politically charged environment.
“The collaboration with Ohio University reflects AUA’s commitment to preparing Armenia’s future journalists for the ethical and practical challenges of modern reporting,” said Dr. Shawn McIntosh, MAMJ program chair. “By integrating global best practices into our curriculum, we are empowering students to report with accuracy, integrity, and resilience.”
Nerissa Young, an award-winning expert in trauma journalism, led sessions on covering conflict, interviewing trauma survivors, and safeguarding reporters’ mental health. Kevin Z. Smith, a global ethics trainer and former president of the Society of Professional Journalists, taught journalism ethics, newsroom policy creation, and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Mark Turner, a media effects scholar and newsroom advisor, explored neutral language in conflict reporting, press freedom under censorship, and avoiding narrative bias in wartime coverage.
“These professors bring decades of experience and global best practices to Armenia at a critical time for our media landscape,” said Shant Petrossian, executive global director of TAP. “Their teachings will help our emerging journalists navigate complex reporting environments while upholding ethical standards. This is an investment in a new era of Armenian journalism.”
“The opportunity to engage students on relevant issues in journalism at Ohio University or abroad is vital if we hope to advance media skills and protect press freedom,” said Smith, who has taught and conducted workshops in several countries. “We are honored to work with TAP and AUA this week to do our part.”
“I have enjoyed this week so much, as I have gotten to learn alongside this first cohort of graduate students,” said Young. “Our International Institute of Journalism director, Dr. Jatin Srivastava, encouraged Scripps journalism professors to consider participating in this project last fall. I was happy to have Kevin and Mark as my partners, and I appreciate Shant Petrossian’s and Shawn McIntosh’s patience as we developed our topics to complement these classes.”
“I have been deeply impressed by the intellect and enthusiasm for journalism that I have seen in these students. I also have great respect for them, as they balance their studies and full-time jobs,” Young said. “This has been a great experience for me personally and professionally.”
The professors were also interviewed by MAMJ students in a talk-show format called The Debrief, which will appear on the student news website The Brief (thebrief.am), set to officially launch in the fall in order to showcase the multimedia stories students produce.
The trainings were hosted by AUA’s Center for Excellence in Journalism and its newly launched MAMJ program, a 14-month degree supported by the U.S. State Department and developed in partnership with Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communication.
The Armenia Project (TAP), an initiative of the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, is an educational non-profit that promotes the democratic and economic development of Armenia by advancing the country’s communications ecosystem, ensuring it is robust, accurate and impactful to more effectively share its real story with the international community. Through strategic programs and diverse partnerships, TAP raises global awareness about Armenia and the region.
Launched in June 2025, AUA’s Master of Arts in Multiplatform Journalism is Armenia’s first English-language journalism graduate program. With hands-on training, a three-week professional internship, and a strong ethics and multimedia foundation, MAMJ is cultivating Armenia’s next generation of professional journalists. Learn more at chss.aua.am/mamj.
