SC: Investigative Journalism

Will Neal

English-language coverage of the South Caucasus is in crisis. Western donors have stripped back funding for independent media in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, while very few (if any) international press organisations have correspondents who might cover the region in any depth. Unfortunately, this comes at a time when investigative reporting has never been more desperately needed in the South Caucasus, not least given the ongoing fallout of war in Ukraine. In Georgia, the conflict has pitted a government in favour of closer ties with Russia against a people overwhelmingly in support of Euro-Atlantic integration. In Armenia and Azerbaijan, it has poured kerosene on the fire of another war now well into its third decade, as well as fuelling a brutal crackdown on dissent by the Aliyev regime. A contribution toward core costs of £12k from Network for Social Change would provide immeasurable help in support of my rolling investigative efforts, mostly focused on the spread of pro-Russian disinformation, the curtailment of press freedoms, and growing threats to peace and human rights (particularly LGBTQ+ rights) across the region. Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you in due course.