Join KU CREES on February 17 at 12pm via Zoom for "Ethnic Diversity and Media Freedom in the South Caucasus — The Voice of Radio Marneuli." 

Georgia, long viewed as a pro-Western reformer since gaining independence in 1991, has entered a period of accelerated democratic decline. Since the disputed 2024 parliamentary elections, the government has embraced anti-Western rhetoric and adopted restrictive laws targeting civil society and independent media, sparking mass protests and raising concerns about the country’s political direction.

This webinar is led by journalists from Radio Marneuli, a community media outlet serving one of Georgia’s most ethnically diverse regions. Reporting daily in Georgian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian, they bring an inside perspective on how these political shifts are affecting communities on the ground. Radio Marneuli’s work has become more difficult as the broader crackdown has placed new pressures on independent media, yet its journalists remain committed to serving their audience.

The session invites participants to speak directly with Radio Marneuli journalists, hear how they are navigating these challenges, and explore the role of community media in multiethnic environments. 

Speakers:
Kamilla Mamedova (Director)
Vladimer Chkhitunidze (Journalist)
Matt Schultz (Webinar Monitor; Peace Corps Volunteer)

Kamilla Mamedova is a media innovator and the founding Director of Radio Marneuli. A native of Marneuli born to a Georgian mother and Azerbaijani father, Kamilla has dedicated her career to informing her community and advocating for Georgia’s ethnic minorities.
After earning a master’s degree in Media Management from the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, she worked as a journalist in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, for some of the nation’s most respected news outlets. She returned to her hometown to launch Radio Marneuli after witnessing firsthand how Georgia’s ethnic minority regions were disconnected from the rest of the country and underserved by the national government.
Kamilla has led Radio Marneuli for 19 years, winning numerous awards for her commitment to truth, independent media, and minority rights. These include the Public Defender of Georgia’s “Guardian of Tolerance” (2018), the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics “Charter Prize” (2020), and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Tbilisi’s “Human Rights Tulip” (2020).
She is a trusted voice in Marneuli and nationally, frequently appearing on Georgian national TV to raise awareness about regional issues. She is also active internationally, collaborating with colleagues at conferences across Europe and participating in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

Vladimer Chkhitunidze is a Radio Marneuli journalist with a decade of experience reporting on issues vital to Marneuli residents and holding local government accountable to the community’s needs.
Vladimer grew up in Saimerlo, a small village on the outskirts of Marneuli. He earned his bachelor’s degree in law from Ilia State University in Tbilisi, where he developed a strong understanding of Georgia’s legal system and a deep appreciation for the rule of law in society.
He chose to pursue a career in journalism because he recognized the importance of giving voice to all members of society, not only the rich and powerful. Through his reporting, Vladimer aims to contribute to Georgia’s democratic development and its European future.
Although his work is rooted in Marneuli, Vladimer covers a wide range of thematic issues. He has written extensively on local government, corruption and nepotism, women’s rights and gender equality, and the rights and representation of ethnic minorities. His reporting combines careful legal insight with a strong commitment to transparency and justice.
Vladimer’s dedication to high-quality journalism has earned recognition across Georgia. His work covering mental health issues was named “Best Radio Story/Podcast” by First Block, and he received a “Charter Prize” from The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics for excellence in multimedia reporting.

Matt Schultz is a Peace Corps Volunteer in Georgia. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Matt discovered his passion for language learning and citizen diplomacy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a BA in French, Spanish, and Political Science. He first came to the South Caucasus in 2018, studying in Baku, Azerbaijan, through the Critical Language Scholarship. His interest in the region only grew, and he returned in 2024 through a Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund grant to host a youth leadership summer camp in Imamgulukend, Azerbaijan, as well as to participate in the Transcaucasian Trail’s International Trail Building Volunteer Program in Svaneti, Georgia.
Now, through Peace Corps Georgia’s Individual and Organizational Development (IOD) project, Matt works to empower nonprofit organizations in their efforts to strengthen civil society, equip youth with the skills they need to achieve their educational and career goals, and unlock the full potential of their communities. In his free time, Matt loves hiking through Georgia’s awe-inspiring mountains, learning new songs on the saz, and reading about Georgia, the Caucasus, and the broader region.