On July 4, the first lecture for the participants of the Training Course for Journalists (part of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program) was delivered by Dean of the Faculty of Journalism at Yerevan State University Naghash Martirosyan. The topic of the lecture was the current stage of television and radio in Armenia. Thanks to satellite broadcasting, most of the participants were already familiar with certain television and radio stations in Armenia. Talking about the functions of Armenian media outlets, Naghash Martirosyan attached special importance to the social-disciplinary or managerial role that Armenian media outlets play in the Diaspora which, according to him, is one of the major solutions to the issue of national preservation.

The participants of the Training Course for Journalists had a meeting with the program director Mher Hovhannisyan. The participants asked their questions of concern and learned about the process of the course and the details about exams. The participants were divided into three groups based on their preferences and specializations, including TV journalism, radio journalism and print press. During the hands-on activities, the students will work with their selected specialists and will prepare relevant materials.

The participants also attended their first lesson on Armenian ethnographic dances. At the Large Hall of Yerevan State University, assistant to the artistic director of Karin Armenian Traditional Song and Dance Ensemble Mesrop Kamalyan presented the symbol of the “Gyovind” and “Tamzara” Armenian dances and taught them how to perform the dance. Although there was not enough time and most of the participants were dancing for the first time, the dance instructor was content.

Information technologies security expert Samvel Martirosyan delivered a lecture on information wars and information security for the participants at Palyans Hall of Yerevan State University. The lecture was for the participants of the Training Course for Journalists and the Course for Young Leaders and Community Activists. The expert talked about new advocacy tools and brought up examples of applying those tools in information wars. The participants asked how they could avoid falling victim to the widespread propaganda and form their own opinions. In response, Samvel Martirosyan said they had to have general education and broad world views and talked about the need for teaching of Media Literacy.

By volunteer of “Diaspora” Summer School Program Gaiane Yenokyan