Park University Educator Recipient of Third Fulbright Research Grant
In the heart of Eastern Europe, Moldova, a country sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, faces ongoing political and social challenges, particularly with the Russian-backed breakaway region of Transnistria. Steve Youngblood, a seasoned Fulbright Scholar and Park University associate professor, has embarked on a mission to promote peace journalism among local media practitioners in Moldova.
Youngblood's work in Moldova revolves around the concept of peace journalism, an emerging approach to reporting that prioritizes understanding and conflict resolution over escalation. By encouraging journalists to report with greater context, avoid inflammatory language, highlight voices of reconciliation, and critically examine propaganda and misinformation, peace journalism provides an alternative narrative to mainstream media coverage in a region marked by frozen conflicts and heightened geopolitical tensions.
One of the core challenges in Moldova and Transnistria is the prevalence of misinformation and propaganda disseminated by various actors, including Russian-backed media outlets. Recognizing this issue, Youngblood's work includes training journalists and media organizations in recognizing, debunking, and responsibly reporting on misinformation. By equipping local media with fact-checking tools and critical analysis frameworks, his work helps bolster media literacy and public trust in accurate news sources.
The impact of Youngblood's work in Transnistria is significant, though challenging due to restricted access and governmental constraints. His initiatives aim to open channels of communication that encourage dialogue and reduce divisive rhetoric, lessening the information divide and fostering more balanced reporting. By highlighting common social and cultural ties that exist despite political separation, Youngblood's work strives to bridge the gap between Moldova and Transnistria.
Steve Youngblood's work represents an important academic and practical contribution to conflict journalism and peace-building in Moldova and its disputed territory. His Fulbright project underscores the power of responsible journalism in transforming divided societies, and his focus on media's role in either perpetuating conflict or facilitating peace is a testament to his commitment to peace journalism.
Upon returning from his Fulbright Scholarship, Youngblood will share his stories and become an active supporter of international exchange. A resident of Parkville, Mo., he has been a member of Park University's faculty since 1997. In 2001, he received his first Fulbright Scholar award to teach in Moldova, and he will continue his research collaborations and lay the groundwork for future partnerships between institutions.
For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit fulbrightprogram.org. Youngblood has been selected as a 2023-24 Fulbright Scholar by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. His dedication to peace journalism has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State, Rotary International, and the Schengen Peace Foundation, which awarded him the 2020-21 Luxembourg Peace Prize for Outstanding Peace Journalism.
Youngblood serves as editor of The Peace Journalist, a semi-annual Park University publication, and during the 2023-24 academic year, he will teach at Moldova State University in Chisinău, Moldova. As he continues his work in peace journalism, Youngblood remains a beacon of hope for a more peaceful and informed Moldova.
Education and self-development play a crucial role in Steve Youngblood's mission, as he focuses on career development and skills training by equipping local journalists and media organizations in Moldova with fact-checking tools and critical analysis frameworks. His personal growth as a Fulbright Scholar and Park University associate professor is evident in his commitment to peace journalism and its transformative potential in divided societies.
