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Mr. Illia Ponomarenko
Illia Ponomarenko is the defence and security reporter at the Kyiv Independent. He has reported about the war in eastern Ukraine since the conflict’s earliest days. He covers national security issues, as well as military technologies, production, and defence reforms in Ukraine. Besides, he gets deployed to the war zone of Donbas with Ukrainian combat formations. He has also had deployments to Palestine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an embedded reporter with UN peacekeeping forces. Illia won the Alfred Friendly Press Partners fellowship and was selected to work as USA Today's guest reporter at the U.S. Department of Defense.
Illia Ponomarenko is the defence and security reporter at the Kyiv Independent. He has reported about the war in eastern Ukraine since the conflict’s earliest days. He covers national security issues, as well as military technologies, production, and defence reforms in Ukraine. Besides, he gets deployed to the war zone of Donbas with Ukrainian combat formations. He has also had deployments to Palestine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an embedded reporter with UN peacekeeping forces. Illia won the Alfred Friendly Press Partners fellowship and was selected to work as USA Today's guest reporter at the U.S. Department of Defense.
Mr. Roman Dobrokhotov
Born 1983 in Moscow, graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations, has a PhD in political science. As a civil activist was an organizer of many protest activities in support of democracy and human rights in 2005-2012. In 2013 founded an online internet magazine The Insider, focused on investigations and debunking of fake news. The Insider won a number of international awards such as Council of Europe Award for Innovation, Emmy, European Press Prize, Free Media Award and others.
Born 1983 in Moscow, graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations, has a PhD in political science. As a civil activist was an organizer of many protest activities in support of democracy and human rights in 2005-2012. In 2013 founded an online internet magazine The Insider, focused on investigations and debunking of fake news. The Insider won a number of international awards such as Council of Europe Award for Innovation, Emmy, European Press Prize, Free Media Award and others.
Mr. Alexandre Alaphilippe
Alexandre Alaphilippe is the executive director and co-founder of the EU DisinfoLab. Since 2017, he has coordinated work on some of the organisation’s largest investigations into Information Operations linked to Russia, India and China, and is a member of a number of working groups in Brussels and Washington DC linked to platform regulation, transatlantic relations, and hybrid threats, where he emphasises the role of civil society in maintaining democratic values. He has published papers for the Brookings Institution and his work has been featured on CNN, BBC, Le Monde and Politico.
Alexandre Alaphilippe is the executive director and co-founder of the EU DisinfoLab. Since 2017, he has coordinated work on some of the organisation’s largest investigations into Information Operations linked to Russia, India and China, and is a member of a number of working groups in Brussels and Washington DC linked to platform regulation, transatlantic relations, and hybrid threats, where he emphasises the role of civil society in maintaining democratic values. He has published papers for the Brookings Institution and his work has been featured on CNN, BBC, Le Monde and Politico.
Mrs. Liubov Tsybulska
Founder and the first head of the Centre for Strategic communication and information security. Liubov Tsybulska is one of the leading experts on hybrid threats in Ukraine. She is an advisor to the Minister of foreign affairs on countering disinformation. Prior to joining the government she used to lead the Hybrid Warfare Analytical Group of Ukrainian NGO “Ukraine Media Center”. She also assisted the chief of General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration as a strategic communication advisor. From 2016 to 2017, she was leading the press office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Before that, she had worked as a journalist for various Ukrainian media outlets. She holds degrees from both Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Kyiv International University.
Founder and the first head of the Centre for Strategic communication and information security. Liubov Tsybulska is one of the leading experts on hybrid threats in Ukraine. She is an advisor to the Minister of foreign affairs on countering disinformation. Prior to joining the government she used to lead the Hybrid Warfare Analytical Group of Ukrainian NGO “Ukraine Media Center”. She also assisted the chief of General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration as a strategic communication advisor. From 2016 to 2017, she was leading the press office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Before that, she had worked as a journalist for various Ukrainian media outlets. She holds degrees from both Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Kyiv International University.
Mrs. Shushan Doydoyan
Shushan Doydoyan has 25 years of experience in promoting accountability, transparency and freedom of Information in the public and private sectors in Armenia. As a founder and director of FOICA, she has promoted the adoption of FOI legislation and controls. Her work promoting government transparency includes undertaking and coordinating strategic litigation, managing public education campaigns and training civil servants, CSOs and media representatives in FOI law and data protection. She was the first head of the Armenian Personal Data Protection Agency. Dr. Doydoyan serves as international organizations’ FOI/FOE, communications and data protection consultant for many years. As a journalist, she serves as country representative of Reporters Without Borders since 2003. She has doctor’s degree in Journalism and master’s degree in law.
Shushan Doydoyan has 25 years of experience in promoting accountability, transparency and freedom of Information in the public and private sectors in Armenia. As a founder and director of FOICA, she has promoted the adoption of FOI legislation and controls. Her work promoting government transparency includes undertaking and coordinating strategic litigation, managing public education campaigns and training civil servants, CSOs and media representatives in FOI law and data protection. She was the first head of the Armenian Personal Data Protection Agency. Dr. Doydoyan serves as international organizations’ FOI/FOE, communications and data protection consultant for many years. As a journalist, she serves as country representative of Reporters Without Borders since 2003. She has doctor’s degree in Journalism and master’s degree in law.
Mrs. Tamar Kintsurashvili
Tamar Kintsurashvili is an Executive Director of Media Development Foundation (MDF). Tamar is an author and co-author of numerous researches and publications on hate speech, anti-Western propaganda, Kremlin Influence Index, media literacy. She is an editor-in-chief of fact-checking online portal Myth Detector and runs Deutsche Welle Akademie youth project aimed at equipping non-journalist youngsters with tools to distinguish real news from manipulated content. Tamar is a member of Deutsche Welle Akademie Media and Information Literacy Experts Network (MILEN). MDF’s Myth Detector has recently joined facebook's fact-checkers third party partnership program. Tamar Kintsurashvili is associate professor at Ilia State University. Previously, Kintsurashvili was the first elected General Director of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (2005-2009).
Tamar Kintsurashvili is an Executive Director of Media Development Foundation (MDF). Tamar is an author and co-author of numerous researches and publications on hate speech, anti-Western propaganda, Kremlin Influence Index, media literacy. She is an editor-in-chief of fact-checking online portal Myth Detector and runs Deutsche Welle Akademie youth project aimed at equipping non-journalist youngsters with tools to distinguish real news from manipulated content. Tamar is a member of Deutsche Welle Akademie Media and Information Literacy Experts Network (MILEN). MDF’s Myth Detector has recently joined facebook's fact-checkers third party partnership program. Tamar Kintsurashvili is associate professor at Ilia State University. Previously, Kintsurashvili was the first elected General Director of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (2005-2009).
Mr. Ahad Ahadli
Ahad Ahadli is project coordinator of Fakt Yoxla, Fact-checking Azerbaijan team. Having bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science, he also participates as trainer in training sessions regarding fact-checking.
Ahad Ahadli is project coordinator of Fakt Yoxla, Fact-checking Azerbaijan team. Having bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science, he also participates as trainer in training sessions regarding fact-checking.
Mr. Antoine de Gunzbourg
Antoine de Gunzbourg is an independent Open Source INTelligence consultant and thinker. After studies in history and Intelligence, he went to live in Middle East as a journalist and blogger during the Arab Spring. He came back to Europe to focus on research, fact-checking and disinformation and became OSINT investigator for Brussel based NGOs and EU projects.
Antoine de Gunzbourg is an independent Open Source INTelligence consultant and thinker. After studies in history and Intelligence, he went to live in Middle East as a journalist and blogger during the Arab Spring. He came back to Europe to focus on research, fact-checking and disinformation and became OSINT investigator for Brussel based NGOs and EU projects.
Mr. Josef Šlerka
Josef Šlerka is a data journalist at investigace.cz and media specialist from the Czech Republic. He is the former managing director of Nadační fond nezávislé žurnalistiky / The Independent Journalism Foundation) and head of New Media Studies at the Faculty of Arts.
Josef Šlerka is a data journalist at investigace.cz and media specialist from the Czech Republic. He is the former managing director of Nadační fond nezávislé žurnalistiky / The Independent Journalism Foundation) and head of New Media Studies at the Faculty of Arts.
Mr. Daniel Rząsa
Daniel Rząsa is a journalist and media trainer. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Polish economic news website 300Gospodarka and is based in Warsaw, Poland. To date he has worked in a variety of editorial roles in newsrooms across Europe and published in several news outlets and magazines, such as Citywire, HFMWeek, Euractiv, Financial Times, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna and Visegrad Insight. Apart from his editorial role, Daniel teaches fact-checking and verification, multimedia and data journalism, as well as advanced online research. Before joining 300Gospodarka he worked as Teaching Fellow, CEE, at Google News Lab, where he trained thousands of journalists, students and NGO members in over 15 countries. During his career he took part in numerous journalism fellowships; currently he is a CEE Internews' Journalist Security Fellow and Atlantic Council's Digital Sherlock Scholar.
Daniel Rząsa is a journalist and media trainer. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Polish economic news website 300Gospodarka and is based in Warsaw, Poland. To date he has worked in a variety of editorial roles in newsrooms across Europe and published in several news outlets and magazines, such as Citywire, HFMWeek, Euractiv, Financial Times, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna and Visegrad Insight. Apart from his editorial role, Daniel teaches fact-checking and verification, multimedia and data journalism, as well as advanced online research. Before joining 300Gospodarka he worked as Teaching Fellow, CEE, at Google News Lab, where he trained thousands of journalists, students and NGO members in over 15 countries. During his career he took part in numerous journalism fellowships; currently he is a CEE Internews' Journalist Security Fellow and Atlantic Council's Digital Sherlock Scholar.
Mrs. Anna Gielewska
Anna Gielewska - a vice-chairman of the Reporters Foundation (the first Polish investigative non-profit). Co-founder of frontstory.pl and vsquare.org (a regional cross-border network in Central Europe). She specializes in investigating disinformation operations. As a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University (2019/20), she developed a project on countering organized disinformation through strengthening cross-functional collaborations. Previously she covered politics for leading newspapers in Poland.
Anna Gielewska - a vice-chairman of the Reporters Foundation (the first Polish investigative non-profit). Co-founder of frontstory.pl and vsquare.org (a regional cross-border network in Central Europe). She specializes in investigating disinformation operations. As a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University (2019/20), she developed a project on countering organized disinformation through strengthening cross-functional collaborations. Previously she covered politics for leading newspapers in Poland.
Mrs. Yevheniia Drozdova
Yevheniia Drozdova - data journalist in TEXTY.ORG.UA. She has a master's degree in Media and Communications.In 2017 she joined TEXTY team, where she works with data analysis and data visualization using different programming languages and libraries.
Yevheniia Drozdova - data journalist in TEXTY.ORG.UA. She has a master's degree in Media and Communications.In 2017 she joined TEXTY team, where she works with data analysis and data visualization using different programming languages and libraries.
Mrs. Nino Dolidze
Nino Dolidze is the Executive Director of International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), a key election watchdog in Georgia. Nino has 15 years working experience in the field of democracy development, in number of international and domestic organizations in Georgia. During her career, she has implemented various large-scale projects aimed at promoting the democratic development of the country, including good governance, legislative strengthening, rule of law, human rights, local government. Before joining ISFED, Nino has worked at the International Republican Institute (IRI) for 8 years, leading the Election Program, Developing Multi-party Democracy and Political Empowerment of Women. She is acting expert on electoral and gender equality issues in several international organizations (USAID, EU). Nino is a lecturer in political sciences, including political campaigning, electoral integrity, and political party development. Working on various positions, she has participated in more than 15 domestic and international election observation missions (OSCE/ODIHR, IRI, NDI, ENEMO) in Georgia and abroad. Nino holds a master's degree in public policy and administration; bachelor’s degree in International Relations. She is an alumni of women’s campaign school from Yale University.
Nino Dolidze is the Executive Director of International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), a key election watchdog in Georgia. Nino has 15 years working experience in the field of democracy development, in number of international and domestic organizations in Georgia. During her career, she has implemented various large-scale projects aimed at promoting the democratic development of the country, including good governance, legislative strengthening, rule of law, human rights, local government. Before joining ISFED, Nino has worked at the International Republican Institute (IRI) for 8 years, leading the Election Program, Developing Multi-party Democracy and Political Empowerment of Women. She is acting expert on electoral and gender equality issues in several international organizations (USAID, EU). Nino is a lecturer in political sciences, including political campaigning, electoral integrity, and political party development. Working on various positions, she has participated in more than 15 domestic and international election observation missions (OSCE/ODIHR, IRI, NDI, ENEMO) in Georgia and abroad. Nino holds a master's degree in public policy and administration; bachelor’s degree in International Relations. She is an alumni of women’s campaign school from Yale University.
Mr. Iurie Sanduta
Iurie Sanduta is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of RISE Moldova. He investigates organized crime in Eastern Europe. In the past years, he unveiled several schemes of high-level corruption, unmasked crime organizations and investigated offshore companies. He is a co-author of such cross-border projects as "A Murderer's Trail" and "The Russian Laundromat". Iurie was part of the team investigating #PandoraPapers, #PanamaPapers, #SwissLeaks, The Troika Laundromat and #FinCENFiles projects. In 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, Iurie was awarded in the Top 10 Moldovan journalists by the Independent Journalism Center from Moldova, and in 2014, 2021, he received the "Best Investigation Award" from The Association of Independent Press of Moldova.
Iurie Sanduta is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of RISE Moldova. He investigates organized crime in Eastern Europe. In the past years, he unveiled several schemes of high-level corruption, unmasked crime organizations and investigated offshore companies. He is a co-author of such cross-border projects as "A Murderer's Trail" and "The Russian Laundromat". Iurie was part of the team investigating #PandoraPapers, #PanamaPapers, #SwissLeaks, The Troika Laundromat and #FinCENFiles projects. In 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, Iurie was awarded in the Top 10 Moldovan journalists by the Independent Journalism Center from Moldova, and in 2014, 2021, he received the "Best Investigation Award" from The Association of Independent Press of Moldova.
Mrs. Mariam Tsitsikashvili
Mariam Tsitsikashvili holds the position of project manager and research fellow at Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS), a multi-profile Think Tank in Georgia. She supervises projects related to foreign state-sponsored disinformation and malign influence. Her research interest includes foreign and security policy. She also leads FactCheck Georgia’s, GRASS’s fact-checking platform, partnership with Meta and supervises Third-Party Fact-Checking Program.
Mariam Tsitsikashvili holds the position of project manager and research fellow at Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS), a multi-profile Think Tank in Georgia. She supervises projects related to foreign state-sponsored disinformation and malign influence. Her research interest includes foreign and security policy. She also leads FactCheck Georgia’s, GRASS’s fact-checking platform, partnership with Meta and supervises Third-Party Fact-Checking Program.
Mrs. Gunta Sloga
Gunta Sloga is an award-winning Latvian journalist and editor, who has won a wide recognition for her reporting and investigations for the flagship Latvian daily newspaper "Diena" and other media outlets. As a commissioning editor for the Latvian Public Television she oversaw development of high quality factual entertainment, original drama and other content and directly contributed to future strategies of the public broadcaster. Gunta Sloga has also been active in journalism non-profits aimed at strengthening quality journalism, and was in charge of the Media Programme at the Soros Foundation Latvia, which supported new media initiatives and professional dialogue. She has been a strong supporter of the freedom of speech and independent media in Latvia. Currently Gunta Sloga is the executive director of Baltic Centre for Media Excellence, a regional resource centre for journalists and a hub of media literacy initiatives.
Gunta Sloga is an award-winning Latvian journalist and editor, who has won a wide recognition for her reporting and investigations for the flagship Latvian daily newspaper "Diena" and other media outlets. As a commissioning editor for the Latvian Public Television she oversaw development of high quality factual entertainment, original drama and other content and directly contributed to future strategies of the public broadcaster. Gunta Sloga has also been active in journalism non-profits aimed at strengthening quality journalism, and was in charge of the Media Programme at the Soros Foundation Latvia, which supported new media initiatives and professional dialogue. She has been a strong supporter of the freedom of speech and independent media in Latvia. Currently Gunta Sloga is the executive director of Baltic Centre for Media Excellence, a regional resource centre for journalists and a hub of media literacy initiatives.
Mr. Roman Shutov
Dr Roman Shutov, Advocacy and Capacity Building Advisor in Zinc Network. PhD in Political Science (2013). Born in Ukraine. Since 2011, he has been producing reviews and analysis of Russian propaganda in the Eastern Europe and Western Balkans. Author of more than 30 reports, scientific and analytical articles. In 2014-2017 - Program Director of Detector Media (Ukraine). 2018-19, he worked in Baltic Centre for Media Excellence (Riga) and European Endowment for Democracy (Content Fund, Brussels). At those positions, he was consulting international donor institutions in shaping their approaches to counter propaganda through media development in the Eastern Europe. As researcher and analyst, worked with OSCE, Baltic Centre for Media Excellence, Atlantic Council, European Values, Detector Media; the research area covered Ukraine, Eastern Partnership countries, Czech Republic, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 2019, as part of Zinc Network’s team, he is managing the network of prominent think tanks and campaigners in the EaP region, driving training, advisory and grant support through Open Information Partnership project; engaged into consulting governments of Ukraine and Moldova on policy response to hostile propaganda.
Dr Roman Shutov, Advocacy and Capacity Building Advisor in Zinc Network. PhD in Political Science (2013). Born in Ukraine. Since 2011, he has been producing reviews and analysis of Russian propaganda in the Eastern Europe and Western Balkans. Author of more than 30 reports, scientific and analytical articles. In 2014-2017 - Program Director of Detector Media (Ukraine). 2018-19, he worked in Baltic Centre for Media Excellence (Riga) and European Endowment for Democracy (Content Fund, Brussels). At those positions, he was consulting international donor institutions in shaping their approaches to counter propaganda through media development in the Eastern Europe. As researcher and analyst, worked with OSCE, Baltic Centre for Media Excellence, Atlantic Council, European Values, Detector Media; the research area covered Ukraine, Eastern Partnership countries, Czech Republic, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 2019, as part of Zinc Network’s team, he is managing the network of prominent think tanks and campaigners in the EaP region, driving training, advisory and grant support through Open Information Partnership project; engaged into consulting governments of Ukraine and Moldova on policy response to hostile propaganda.
Mrs. Natalia Marshalkovitch
Natalia Marshalkovitch is a journalist and media manager with over two decades of background in global newsrooms and media development. Before joining the Free Press for Eastern Europe in 2016, she worked for the European TV Euronews (Lyon, France) as a editor, correspondent and social media manager. Her work centers around international politics, cross-border journalism and digital transition of newsrooms. During four years she was an Editor in chief at the Russian Language News Exchange, the largest support network for independent newsrooms, managed by Free Press for Eastern Europe. Today she is a Regional Coordinator for SCIENCE+, a network developed by Free Press for Eastern Europe (Czechia) and Free Press Unlimited (Netherlands). SCIENCE+ team facilitates the creation of a unique network to share best practices in health reporting and science journalism in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries: Czechia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania. Experts, science editors, freelancers and independent outlets form a coalition to ensure responsible and trustworthy reporting on public health and other medical topics.
Natalia Marshalkovitch is a journalist and media manager with over two decades of background in global newsrooms and media development. Before joining the Free Press for Eastern Europe in 2016, she worked for the European TV Euronews (Lyon, France) as a editor, correspondent and social media manager. Her work centers around international politics, cross-border journalism and digital transition of newsrooms. During four years she was an Editor in chief at the Russian Language News Exchange, the largest support network for independent newsrooms, managed by Free Press for Eastern Europe. Today she is a Regional Coordinator for SCIENCE+, a network developed by Free Press for Eastern Europe (Czechia) and Free Press Unlimited (Netherlands). SCIENCE+ team facilitates the creation of a unique network to share best practices in health reporting and science journalism in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries: Czechia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania. Experts, science editors, freelancers and independent outlets form a coalition to ensure responsible and trustworthy reporting on public health and other medical topics.
Mrs. Maya Mateshvili
Maya Mateshvili has joined the EU Delegation in Tbilisi, Georgia at the end of 2020 as the Press and Information Officer. In her capacity, Maya helps monitor, report and counter disinformation narratives, liaise with local stakeholders including fact-checkers, stratcoms, media and CSOs, plan and oversee implementation of multi-faceted efforts to help counter disinformation using whole-of-society approach, and build societal resilience through media literacy. Prior to working for the EU, Maya spent over 8 years managing a media partnership program implemented by an American iNGO IREX in Georgia, with funding from the U.S. Embassy. Through reciprocal professional exchange visits, she helped build multimedia content production and cross-promotion capacity of Georgian regional and national TV and radio broadcasters as well as online outlets, and contributed to improving their digital presence, increasing non-traditional revenues and streamlining management practices. For more than 20 years, Maya has played a key role as a communicator and a manager, working for WHO country office in Georgia, as well as various projects supported by the USAID and EU in the areas ranging from media development to child welfare, public healthcare and agribusiness. While based in Georgia, at various times, she has worked with colleagues and counterparts in the United States, Ukraine, Kyrgizstan, Moldova, and Russia. Maya holds a Master’s degree in mass communication from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. Her Bachelor’s degree is in translation and interpretation of English and German languages from the former Institute of Foreign Languages in Tbilisi.
Maya Mateshvili has joined the EU Delegation in Tbilisi, Georgia at the end of 2020 as the Press and Information Officer. In her capacity, Maya helps monitor, report and counter disinformation narratives, liaise with local stakeholders including fact-checkers, stratcoms, media and CSOs, plan and oversee implementation of multi-faceted efforts to help counter disinformation using whole-of-society approach, and build societal resilience through media literacy. Prior to working for the EU, Maya spent over 8 years managing a media partnership program implemented by an American iNGO IREX in Georgia, with funding from the U.S. Embassy. Through reciprocal professional exchange visits, she helped build multimedia content production and cross-promotion capacity of Georgian regional and national TV and radio broadcasters as well as online outlets, and contributed to improving their digital presence, increasing non-traditional revenues and streamlining management practices. For more than 20 years, Maya has played a key role as a communicator and a manager, working for WHO country office in Georgia, as well as various projects supported by the USAID and EU in the areas ranging from media development to child welfare, public healthcare and agribusiness. While based in Georgia, at various times, she has worked with colleagues and counterparts in the United States, Ukraine, Kyrgizstan, Moldova, and Russia. Maya holds a Master’s degree in mass communication from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. Her Bachelor’s degree is in translation and interpretation of English and German languages from the former Institute of Foreign Languages in Tbilisi.
Mrs. Alona Romaniuk
Alona Romaniuk is a founder of the fact-checking project "NotaEnota", Editor-in-Chief of the project "Behind the Putin's lie", ex-editor-in-chief of the «Behind the News» and the author of the initiative «Behind the pandemic» on fakes and manipulations about coronavirus. Journalist, media expert, trainer. She has been working in the field of journalism, PR and advocacy for more than 15 years, including 3 years in crisis communication. Also she has been working in the field of disinformation for more than 5 years. Alona leads courses "Verification and fact-checking", "Cross-media start-ups" at the Institute of Journalism of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She is an invited lecturer at Stockholm School of Economy in Riga. She is co-author materials for the Media Literacy Course «Very Verified», сo-author of a journalist's guide "How to write about education and medical reform." Alona has coordinated more than 60 national and regional projects.
Alona Romaniuk is a founder of the fact-checking project "NotaEnota", Editor-in-Chief of the project "Behind the Putin's lie", ex-editor-in-chief of the «Behind the News» and the author of the initiative «Behind the pandemic» on fakes and manipulations about coronavirus. Journalist, media expert, trainer. She has been working in the field of journalism, PR and advocacy for more than 15 years, including 3 years in crisis communication. Also she has been working in the field of disinformation for more than 5 years. Alona leads courses "Verification and fact-checking", "Cross-media start-ups" at the Institute of Journalism of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She is an invited lecturer at Stockholm School of Economy in Riga. She is co-author materials for the Media Literacy Course «Very Verified», сo-author of a journalist's guide "How to write about education and medical reform." Alona has coordinated more than 60 national and regional projects.
Mrs. Valeria Kovtun
Valeria Kovtun is founder and head of Filter, the first national media literacy project launched in Ukraine and coordinated by the Ministry of culture and information policy. Previously, Valeria worked as a journalist and producer at BBC Reel in London, was a journalist fellow at the United Nations in New York, and a senior correspondent at major Ukrainian media. She also launched and produced two special TV projects for the top morning show in Ukraine. Some background information about Filter: Before the war, Filter worked closely with the international organisation IREX focusing on developing Ukrainians’ critical thinking skills and promoting media literacy as a preventive measure against disinformation. Filter launched an online study platform, opened media literacy clubs in the regions where media literacy training sessions were held for local journalists and communities. The Filter team also published a book on media literacy and critical thinking for children, organised the first national student competition 'Reporter', co-produced a TV project with the Ukrainian public broadcaster and launched countrywide information campaigns on media literacy.
Valeria Kovtun is founder and head of Filter, the first national media literacy project launched in Ukraine and coordinated by the Ministry of culture and information policy. Previously, Valeria worked as a journalist and producer at BBC Reel in London, was a journalist fellow at the United Nations in New York, and a senior correspondent at major Ukrainian media. She also launched and produced two special TV projects for the top morning show in Ukraine. Some background information about Filter: Before the war, Filter worked closely with the international organisation IREX focusing on developing Ukrainians’ critical thinking skills and promoting media literacy as a preventive measure against disinformation. Filter launched an online study platform, opened media literacy clubs in the regions where media literacy training sessions were held for local journalists and communities. The Filter team also published a book on media literacy and critical thinking for children, organised the first national student competition 'Reporter', co-produced a TV project with the Ukrainian public broadcaster and launched countrywide information campaigns on media literacy.
Mr. Marat Bigaliyev
Bigaliyev Marat works for Internews Network in Kazakhstan since 2006, providing support for both broadcast and legal aspects of Internews’ work in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan (2006-2009) as the Project Manager. In 2009 he has been promoted for the position of Regional Program Officer for Internews programs in Central Asia. He managed a staff of eight Internews program managers and oversaw the work of three subgrantees. Mr. Bigaliyev has been designated as key to the successful completion of the objectives of the 2009-2014 award and approved by USAID for the position of the Kazakhstan Country Program Director in October 2014. In March 2015 Mr. Bigaliyev promoted for the position of Chief of Party for Internews projects in Central Asia. Prior to working at Internews, Mr. Bigaliyev was a Senior Program Coordinator for International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) in Kazakhstan, managing the implementation of a number of voter and civic education projects. He worked as the National Coordinator of the Debate Program for Soros and as a Moderator and Senior Programmer for a news program, on the Regional Television/Radio Company in Semipalatinsk. In total, Mr. Bigaliyev has more than 24 years of experience working on USAID-funded democracy programs in Central Asia. Mr. Bigaliyev received a Master in Public Administration from the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research in 1997.
Bigaliyev Marat works for Internews Network in Kazakhstan since 2006, providing support for both broadcast and legal aspects of Internews’ work in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan (2006-2009) as the Project Manager. In 2009 he has been promoted for the position of Regional Program Officer for Internews programs in Central Asia. He managed a staff of eight Internews program managers and oversaw the work of three subgrantees. Mr. Bigaliyev has been designated as key to the successful completion of the objectives of the 2009-2014 award and approved by USAID for the position of the Kazakhstan Country Program Director in October 2014. In March 2015 Mr. Bigaliyev promoted for the position of Chief of Party for Internews projects in Central Asia. Prior to working at Internews, Mr. Bigaliyev was a Senior Program Coordinator for International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) in Kazakhstan, managing the implementation of a number of voter and civic education projects. He worked as the National Coordinator of the Debate Program for Soros and as a Moderator and Senior Programmer for a news program, on the Regional Television/Radio Company in Semipalatinsk. In total, Mr. Bigaliyev has more than 24 years of experience working on USAID-funded democracy programs in Central Asia. Mr. Bigaliyev received a Master in Public Administration from the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research in 1997.
Mrs. Seda Muradyan
Seda Muradyan is the co-founder and the President of Public Journalism Club NGO, Yerevan, Armenia. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Seda graduated in television journalism from Yerevan State Pedagogical University and holds a master's degree in journalism from the Caucasus Institute based in Armenia. She has profound knowledge of the media landscape of Armenia and of the Caucasus gained over 20 years of experience in journalism, including television reporting and production, documentary production, and editing. She is an experienced trainer with a 15+ years of experience of teaching, coaching and mentoring journalists. She was a Knight at Stanford University, CA, USA, worked for London-based Institute for War and Peace Reporting as their Armenia Country Director for 15 years. Seda Muradyan is also a director of two documentaries: #electricyerevan (2015) and “From Home to Home” (2008).
Seda Muradyan is the co-founder and the President of Public Journalism Club NGO, Yerevan, Armenia. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Seda graduated in television journalism from Yerevan State Pedagogical University and holds a master's degree in journalism from the Caucasus Institute based in Armenia. She has profound knowledge of the media landscape of Armenia and of the Caucasus gained over 20 years of experience in journalism, including television reporting and production, documentary production, and editing. She is an experienced trainer with a 15+ years of experience of teaching, coaching and mentoring journalists. She was a Knight at Stanford University, CA, USA, worked for London-based Institute for War and Peace Reporting as their Armenia Country Director for 15 years. Seda Muradyan is also a director of two documentaries: #electricyerevan (2015) and “From Home to Home” (2008).
Mr. Giedrius Sakalauskas
Giedrius Sakalauskas was born on 14 September 1966. Graduated from University of Vilnius / Institute of International Relations and Diplomacy in 1995. After graduation was working for different industries (advertising, entertainment, e-commerce) as managing director and the member of the board. From 2014 civic activist countering disinformation, confronting and debunking hostile propaganda, developing resilience of society. Director of civic resilience center Res Publica. His professional expertise includes cyber-resistance, social resilience, civil society development, disinformation, social media. Description of our organization: https://en.respublica.lt/apie-mus.
Giedrius Sakalauskas was born on 14 September 1966. Graduated from University of Vilnius / Institute of International Relations and Diplomacy in 1995. After graduation was working for different industries (advertising, entertainment, e-commerce) as managing director and the member of the board. From 2014 civic activist countering disinformation, confronting and debunking hostile propaganda, developing resilience of society. Director of civic resilience center Res Publica. His professional expertise includes cyber-resistance, social resilience, civil society development, disinformation, social media. Description of our organization: https://en.respublica.lt/apie-mus.
Mrs. Nicole Ely
Nicole Ely is a journalist and project manager at Transitions. She has a Master's degree in International Security Studies from Charles University in Prague, where she studied online disinformation ecosystems and radicalization. She is currently in charge of the solutions journalism initiative at Transitions, where she leads training programs and mentors journalists from Poland, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and Bosnia.
Nicole Ely is a journalist and project manager at Transitions. She has a Master's degree in International Security Studies from Charles University in Prague, where she studied online disinformation ecosystems and radicalization. She is currently in charge of the solutions journalism initiative at Transitions, where she leads training programs and mentors journalists from Poland, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and Bosnia.
Mr. Robbe Demuynck
Robbe is a marketing & communications manager, creative director and brand strategist. He has worked for Unicef, the Belgian Paralympic Committee, EMI & Warner Music, Volvo, Caviar and Akzo Nobel. He is currently the Senior Online Communication Expert for EU NEIGHBOURS east.
Robbe is a marketing & communications manager, creative director and brand strategist. He has worked for Unicef, the Belgian Paralympic Committee, EMI & Warner Music, Volvo, Caviar and Akzo Nobel. He is currently the Senior Online Communication Expert for EU NEIGHBOURS east.
