Send message to Author

Abstract

Freedom of religion is considered a fundamental human right under the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the constitutions of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia. However, since the Soviet Union's dissolution, none of these countries has evolved into democratic governance and preservation of human rights, including religious freedom and press freedom. That failure receives virtually no coverage in the domestic media of those countries, primarily due to direct and quasi-official government control over the press and to the understandable desire of journalists and news outlets to avoid government reprisals. Instead, any coverage of religious rights abuses there is likely to come from international news agencies. This case study examines how the Europe-based specialized international news outlet Forum 18 reports on constraints on religious freedom and practice there. Using content analysis, interviews, and documentary research, it provides insights into news coverage of human rights more broadly in the region, including freedom of expression. The paper examines the types of stories that Forum 18 publishes and the types of news sources its journalists rely on. Although Forum 18's coverage does not penetrate deeply into the Caucasus, the findings can contribute, at least symbolically, to hopes for more accountability in the protection of freedom of worship.