YEREVAN — Ahead of the conference, TAP organized a series of workshops led by experienced international journalists Philippa Nuttall, Michael Kodas and Eric Niiler. The sessions equipped Armenian reporters with practical tools for covering major environmental events, developing compelling stories and navigating the editorial expectations of international news organizations.
The initiative sought to address a persistent challenge for journalists working in smaller countries: how to turn important local developments into stories that resonate with readers around the world.
While Nuttall and Kodas explored approaches to reporting on major environmental events, including the opportunities and challenges they present, Niiler led an intensive two-day workshop focused on identifying internationally relevant story angles, crafting effective pitches and understanding how editors at major publications evaluate submissions.
Niiler also brought three former colleagues from the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal into the sessions virtually, giving participants an opportunity to pitch their ideas directly to experienced international journalists and receive feedback on their potential for broader coverage.
The workshops have already generated promising follow-up activity. Two participating journalists developed story ideas identified as having potential for international audiences. One reporter continued refining her story after the sessions and received additional guidance from Niiler, who is supporting its further development.
“The goal is to go beyond simply teaching journalists how to cover an international conference, and help them frame stories emerging from places like Armenia to highlight their relevance to the wider world,” said TAP Executive Director Gayane Ayvazyan. “By connecting Armenian reporters with experienced international journalists and editors, we are helping create opportunities for Armenian perspectives to reach a much wider audience.”
