WHAT IT IS?

Scapegoating—the tactic of naming a societal problem, real or imagined, and blaming a group for that problem—relies on common narratives and language tools across time and space. 

This interactive training engages journalists, content creators, and media and communications students in the analysis of a wide range of historical and contemporary cases to equip them with skills to decode and navigate narratives and language tools of scapegoating in any given context. 

WHY IT MATTERS?

In the era of social media, disinformation, AI, and post-truth politics, media professionals’ in-depth understanding of scapegoating rhetoric and increased capacity to respond to the challenges it presents are powerful skills that can help protect societies against democratic backsliding, polarization, human rights violations, and collective catastrophes. 

Yet the teaching of these specific communication skills is often missing from journalism education. We work with media outlets, media NGOs, journalism schools, and universities worldwide to address this gap.

So far, we have hosted trainings for journalists, content creators, and media and communications students in Belgrade, Budapest, Madrid, New York, Prague, and Tbilisi, receiving consistently positive feedback from participants.

HOST UNIVERSITIES & ORGANIZATIONS

Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management, Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (Tbilisi)

Department of Communication, Saint Louis University (Madrid)

Department of Media and Communication, Eötvös Loránd University (Budapest)

Department of Political Science, Brooklyn College (New York)

Center for Independent Journalism (Budapest)

Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism, Charles University (Prague)

Reporting Diversity Network (Western Balkans)

WHO WE ARE?

“Media and Scapegoating” has been developed in collaboration between Over Zero and Dr. Anna Szilágyi. Over Zero is a US based organization that was founded in response to the global need to counteract and prevent identity-based violence and other forms of group-targeted harm through leveraging communication-based tools. 

You can find more information about Over Zero’s work on their website. →

FORMAT AND CONTACT

Media and Scapegoating may be offered virtually or in-person, either as a standalone session or integrated into a class, conference, or event. 

Interested in learning more or hosting a Media and Scapegoating training? 

Contact us here: anna@wordscarrypower.com

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRAINING:

MODULES →

GLOSSARY →

LIBRARY →