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Impact Data - Nasha Ulitsa (Our Street) Radio Drama

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Date
Methodologies
InterMedia carried out 4 focus group discussions with 32 young (15-19 year-old men and women) in Simferopol and Sevastopol, Crimea. During the 2-hour discussions - one with young Ukrainians and Russians and one with young Crimean Tatars in each city - participants were asked how close they felt to other ethnic groups before and after they had listened to the entire radio drama series.
Attitudes
  • After listening to "Our Street", the participants' perceptions of distance (on a 6-point Bogardus scale) between the groups in question decreased, in some cases measurably. Mean changes in attitudes towards other ethnic groups (where 1 represents the closest possible relationship - kinship by way of marriage - and 6 represents the most distant relationship - living in the same city or region) were recorded. Groups 1 and 3 consisted of Russians and Ukrainians; Groups 2 and 4 consisted of Crimean Tartars only.
    • The results varied by group but, on average, the Ukrainian and Russians felt somewhat closer to Tatars after hearing the drama series. For example, in Group 1, the mean perceived distance was 2 before listening and 1.8 after. In Group 3, that number improved from 2.8 to 2.
    • The change in attitudes of the Crimean Tatars toward the Russians and Ukrainians was even more pronounced: the Tatars viewed the Russians and Ukrainians in a more favorable light. For example, prior to listening, Group 2 members on average rated Russians at 2.9 on the scale; afterward, they felt closer to this group (1.9). Among this same group, there was a similar change in perception of distance toward Ukrainians (from 2.8 to 1.9). In Group 4, the perceived distance toward Russians improved from 2.4 to 1.5; this number shifted from 1.9 to 1.6 with regard to Ukrainians. Evaluators explain that some of this change may be attributed to the way the radio drama plot unfolded, especially those moments where a few Russian-Ukrainian characters helped the Tatars in difficult situations.
  • After listening, some focus group participants took an interest in ethnic groups other than their own and expressed a desire to understand them better. One participant (Group 1) said, "I have never even thought about the Tatars having been deported...now I felt the situation from their side - how painful and hurtful it is. Now I understand them better."
  • Listeners seemed to recognise the importance of comprehending a situation before responding to it, and of trying to resolve a conflict peacefully rather than attempting to overcome the opponent. Many respondents said the serial gave them new methods and skills for resolving conflicts (although others did not discover any methods in the programmes), as follows:
    • "In principle, there is just one method here: Treat people well." (Group 1)
    • "One doesn't have to use fists to resolve something; one can do it peacefully." (Group 1)
    • "I would no longer get too excited if something was wrong. I'd stop and think." (Group 1)
    • "One shouldn't give way to emotions - this won't lead to anything good; this leads to aggression." (Group 1)
    • "When someone starts insulting you, be silent and count to 10." (Group 2)
    • "Problems shouldn't be resolved by determining who is the better drinker or the faster racer." (Group 3)