Join Ohio State's Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies and the team from Radio Marneuli in Georgia, a community media outlet reporting daily in Georgian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian and serving one of Georgia’s most ethnically diverse regions, to learn more about Georgia's multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society, the connections between community media and democracy, and the challenges of working in Georgia's current political landscape. The session will be held live via Zoom, or join the watch party in 160 Enarson Classroom Building.
Speaker bios:
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.
When she’s not in the studio, Kamilla likes to watch Grey’s Anatomy with her Shar-Pei, Hanna.
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.
Tiko Davadze has been a leading voice in Georgian regional journalism since 2016, bringing depth, clarity, and a strong sense of responsibility to her reporting.
She holds a degree in English Literature and Philology from East European University in Tbilisi. Her academic background strengthened not only her skills in English (her fourth language), but also her ability to analyze complex social and political issues. After completing her studies, she chose to pursue a career in journalism because she is passionate about amplifying the voices of her community and ensuring that the concerns of ordinary people are heard and understood.
As a journalist at Radio Marneuli, Tiko has developed a deep understanding of her region and its diverse population. She reports on a wide range of issues, including local government spending, infrastructure development, agriculture, and community services. She is especially drawn to education policy and frequently covers the unique advantages and challenges of Marneuli’s multicultural and multilingual schools, where students of different backgrounds learn side by side.
In 2022, Tiko was recognized by Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) with a Media for Equality award for her story “A Message from Generations to Women.” Her work has also been acknowledged by USAID for her partnership in the Media for Transparent and Accountable Governance program. She regularly shares her expertise at regional conferences, contributing to professional exchanges with journalists from across Europe.
When she is not reporting, Tiko enjoys visiting her relatives in Samegrelo and preparing delicious homemade Megrelian ajika.
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 his saz, and reading about Georgian history.
If you have questions about accessibility or wish to request accommodation such as live captioning or interpretation to participate in this event, please contact Emma Pratt at pratt.124@osu.edu. Typically, two weeks' notice will allow us to provide access, but the university will make every effort to meet requests made after this date.
