Opportunity for U.S. media outlets: Free travel and professional development in the country of Georgia
IREX is seeking U.S. broadcasters, print media, and digital media to partner with Georgian stations by participating in the Georgian Media Partnership Program (GMPP).
IREX implements this initiative with funding from the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi.
GMPP supports partnerships between Georgian and American media outlets through exchange trips that include individual on-site and online peer-sharing, consulting, coaching, mentoring, and job shadowing.
By visiting the country of Georgia and, in turn, hosting Georgians in the US, American TV station staff will engage in international coaching, hone their communication and teaching skills, broaden their horizons, share best practices of broadcasting with the local stations overseas, and experience the hospitality and culture of Eastern Europe.
Over the course of the year, the American station will send staff members to Georgia to engage in hands-on practical trainings, then host Georgian media professionals. Each partnership occurs over the course of 12–18 months. A partnership includes 4 one-week visits, 2 visits to Georgia by the U.S. partners, and 2 visits to the U.S. by the Georgian partners. If needed, visits can be condensed.
IREX staff based in Washington, DC, and Tbilisi provide logistical support, management, and oversight of the visits, and ensure high-quality translation services during exchange visits in both countries.
Financial Support
There is a strong sense of purpose that comes from the partnership. And it comes at a time of great struggle in the history of American media.... Journalistic dialogue allows for philosophical discussion that can, at least under certain conditions, get lost.Marisa Porto, digital managing editor, Daily Press, Newport News, Virginia
IREX covers all costs of domestic and international travel and lodging, as well as translators’ fees and cultural activities both in the U.S. and in Georgia.
Station employees making the trips to Georgia also receive a modest per-diem to cover their meals and incidental costs.
Program Eligibility
All U.S. broadcasters, print media, and digital media are welcome to apply for this opportunity. In particular, GMPP is looking for civic-minded broadcasters who are interested in providing their staff international exposure and willing to contribute to the development of independent media in Europe, by sharing experience in:
- News/production
- Digital/mobile
- Online/new media
- Promotion
- Marketing/sales
- Investigative reporting
- Business strategic management
Application Instructions
The program benefits both stations because, despite all of our differences, we are all working on perfecting a very similar set of journalistic, management, or sales skills. Sharing this information and learning from one another bridges the gaps and allows us both to develop and grow.Brad Hillwig, marketing manager, KTUU, Anchorage, Alaska
To apply for this opportunity, please e-mail Sarah Bushman at sbushman@irex.org. In your message, please provide brief information about your media outlet (market size, staff size, technical capacity, and description of in-house programming or content) and your motivation for participating in the media exchange program.
To view more information about the program’s activities, please visit our pages on Facebook.
Contact
Email: sbushman@irex.org
Phone: 202-628-8188