Scholarship Recipient from Park University's Faculty Awarded Third Fulbright Grant
Steve Youngblood, a distinguished Park University associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, has been awarded the 2023-24 Fulbright Scholarship. This prestigious honour will see Youngblood return to Moldova, a small Eastern European country surrounded by Ukraine on three sides, to continue his work in countering misinformation and promoting peace journalism.
Youngblood's project in Moldova aims to address the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media platforms, which have a significant impact on public opinion and democratic processes. His approach involves conducting research on the sources and dissemination patterns of misinformation, collaborating with local journalists, NGOs, and academic institutions to develop media literacy programs, and creating workshops and training sessions to enhance critical thinking skills among Moldovan citizens.
The project also employs digital tools to track and analyse misinformation campaigns, particularly those influencing political discourse. Youngblood's work extends to engaging with diverse communities, including youth groups and rural populations, to strengthen resilience against deceptive content.
The impact of Youngblood's project in Moldova has been profound. It has raised public awareness about the dangers and mechanisms of misinformation, empowering journalists and citizens with practical strategies to spot and challenge false narratives. Youngblood's evidence-based recommendations have influenced local policymaking towards media regulation and support for independent journalism.
His work has also contributed to the broader understanding of misinformation dynamics in Eastern Europe, helping to guide future research and interventions. Furthermore, Youngblood has fostered networks among Moldovan civil society organisations aimed at sustaining the fight against misinformation beyond the project’s duration.
Youngblood's commitment to peace journalism extends beyond Moldova. He has taught peace journalism to journalists, academics, and students in 45 countries and territories worldwide, including conflict areas such as Cameroon, Indian-administered Kashmir, Lebanon, South Sudan, and Turkey.
The Fulbright Program, which funds Youngblood's scholarship, is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program. It is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support for the Fulbright Program.
For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit fulbrightprogram.org. Youngblood's return to Moldova marks his third time as a Fulbright Scholar, having also received awards in 2001 to teach in Moldova and in 2007 to teach in Azerbaijan.
Moldova has been bombarded by Russian misinformation and disinformation, making Youngblood's work in countering misinformation and promoting peace journalism all the more crucial. Upon returning to their home countries, institutions, labs, and classrooms, Fulbright Scholars like Youngblood share stories and become active supporters of international exchange, inviting foreign scholars to campus and encouraging colleagues and students to go abroad.
Steve Youngblood's Fulbright project represents a meaningful contribution to strengthening Moldova's information ecosystem and supporting democratic resilience in a challenging regional context. If you want, I can try to find more precise data or specific publications related to his work.
Steve Youngblood's work in Moldova, focusing on education-and-self-development through media literacy programs and personal-growth workshops, aims to combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation, thereby promoting democratic processes and public opinion. His project also contributes to extended networks among Moldovan civil society organizations, fostering their resilience against deceptive content. Furthermore, Youngblood's commitment to peace journalism extends beyond Moldova, as he shares his experiences and knowledge with journalists, academics, and students worldwide, encouraging international exchange and collaboration.
