Press Release                                                                                           June 5, 2008

Eight Baku-based Journalists Graduate from ICFJ’s Investigative Reporting Training Course

The International Center for Journalists is proud to announce the graduation of eight Azerbaijani journalists from ICFJ’s In-Depth Investigative Training Program.

This four month program allows journalists to gain reporting experience in all media – including television, radio, print and online. Their stories are published in a variety of media – including Zerkalo, Ayna, 525 and Gun Newspapers. Their pieces have also been broadcast and published on Radio Liberty, Eurasianet and Day.AZ.

The eight journalists completed a rigorous four month training course by ICFJ trainers as well as other local and international trainers. At the ceremony at the University of Languages, American Center, ICFJ’s Country Director in Baku, Charles Rice, said “ICFJ’s program allows journalists to hone their skills on how to conduct research, make sense of what they have discovered and be able to organize it into a coherent story – a story that reflects issues and problems that affect Azerbaijanis on a daily basis.”

Journalists taking part in the program are exposed to trainers from around the world. They include Don Ray from Los Angeles, California; Chris Burnett from London; Gesine Dornblueth from Berlin; Alasgar Mammadli, Baku; Tara Bahrampour, Tbilisi, Georgia; Gulnaz Guliyeva, Baku; Ruslan Abdullayev, Baku; The chief trainer is Khadija Ismayilova.

This is the second group of eight journalists to complete the training course. A third and final four month program will begin on June 23rd.

The one year program is funded by the United States State Department and when it is completed in October 2008, ICFJ will have trained 24 journalists.

Since 1984, the International Center for Journalists has worked directly with more than 40,000 journalists from 176 countries. Aiming to raise the standards of journalism, ICFJ offers hands-on training, workshops, seminars, fellowships and international exchanges to reporters and media managers around the globe.

For more information contact:
Charles Rice, Country Director: 994-50-255-4023
Anar Orujov, Deputy Director: 994-55-209-0400
Khadija Ismayilova, Chief Trainer: 994-55-774-2084

Click here to read remarks from Charles Rice, Country Director

Click here to view photos of the graduation