DOCSLIB.ORG

Tsikhanouskaya Says Her Position Is Not Pro- Western, Yet She Still Wants the West to Help

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tsikhanouskaya Says Her Position Is Not Pro- Western, Yet She Still Wants the West to Help Issue no: 1287 • MARCH 12 - 18, 2021 • PUBLISHED WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50 In this week’s issue... Bera’s Secret Recordings Scandal NEWS PAGE 2 Pulling the Yarn: Popular Discontent & the Future of Georgia POLITICS PAGE 3 Thoughts on the US Strategy in Eastern Europe & the South Caucasus POLITICS PAGE 4 Creative Women Georgia: Mako Abashidze, Interview BUSINESS PAGE 6 GDP and Employment in Georgia: Forecasts for 2021 BUSINESS PAGE 7 ON JEWISH Carrefour Partners with the Government of the FOCUS HERITAGE Autonomous Republic of Israeli House opens Parallel Traces exhibition in Tbilisi under the Creative Europe program PAGE 10 Abkhazia to Recognise Women Tsikhanouskaya Says Her Position Is Not Pro- SOCIETY PAGE 8 Shavi Lomi Says No Western, Yet She Still Wants the West to Help to Food Waste INTERVIEW BY TIM OGDEN SOCIETY PAGE 9 & VAZHA TAVBERIDZE The Qualities of the n a joint interview for the British Int'l School Tbilisi Spectator (UK) and GISP, Belarus opposition leader SOCIETY PAGE 11 in exile, Sviatlana Tsikh- anouskaya answered CULTURE PAGE 11 Iquestions on her vision of a Prepared for Georgia Today Business by Lukashenko-free and democratic Markets Asof22ͲFebͲ2021 Belarus, what she expects from STOCKS Price w/w m/m BONDS Price w/w m/m BankofGeorgia(BGEOLN) GBP10.76 Ͳ6,3% Ͳ9,4% GEOROG04/21 100.36(YTM4.55%) Ͳ0,3% Ͳ0,2% the West and is willing to give GeorgiaCapital(CGEOLN) GBP5.15 Ͳ2,1% Ͳ1,9% GEORG04/21 100.63(YTM2.11%) Ͳ0,1% Ͳ0,5% in return, discussed the fi ner TBCBankGroup(TBCGLN) GBP11.14 Ͳ11,2% Ͳ10,9% GRAIL07/22 107.13(YTM2.47%) Ͳ0,0% +0,6% points of the relationship with GEBGG07/23 106.41(YTM3.23%) +0,6% +0,8% the Kremlin, and whether it COMMODITIES Price w/w m/m CURRENCIES Price w/w m/m CrudeOil,Brent(US$/bbl) 65,24 +3,1% +17,7% GEL/USD 3,3079 +0,5% +0,3% should be expected that Belarus, GoldSpot(US$/OZ) 1809,67 Ͳ0,5% Ͳ2,5% GEL/EUR 4,0213 +0,7% +0,1% should it fi nd itself without the GEL/GBP 4,6511 +1,7% +3,0% INDICES Price w/w m/m GEL/CHF 3,6925 Ͳ0,2% Ͳ1,0% strongman calling the shots in FTSE100 6612,24 Ͳ2,1% Ͳ1,2% GEL/RUB 0,0445 Ͳ0,9% +1,6% FTSE250 20981,09 Ͳ2,0% +1,9% GEL/TRY 0,4712 Ͳ0,3% +5,9% all matters domestic and foreign, DAX 13950,04 Ͳ1,1% +0,5% GEL/AZN 1,9458 +0,5% +0,2% might entertain the notion of DOWJONES 31521,69 +0,2% +1,7% GEL/AMD 0,0063 Ͳ Ͳ1,6% NASDAQ 13533,05 Ͳ4,0% Ͳ0,1% GEL/UAH 0,1186 +0,1% +1,2% joining the wider Euro-Atlantic MSCIEMEE 166,12 Ͳ3,0% +1,1% EUR/USD 0,8225 Ͳ0,2% +0,1% political blocks such as NATO MSCIEM 1397,67 Ͳ2,8% +0,3% GBP/USD 0,7110 Ͳ1,1% Ͳ2,7% SP500 3876,50 Ͳ1,5% +0,9% CHF/USD 0,8961 +0,7% +1,2% and the EU. MSCIFM 2560,71 Ͳ0,8% Ͳ1,0% RUB/USD 74,3075 +1,3% Ͳ1,3% GTIndex(GEL) 1582,68 ͲͲTRY/USD 7,0189 +0,8% Ͳ5,4% Continued on page 3 GTIndex(USD) 1208,13 ͲͲAZN/USD 1,6988 Ͳ Ͳ0,2% GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MARCH 12 - 18, 2021 Bera’s Secret Recordings Scandal According to the recording, Bera Ivanishvili tells Irakli Garibashvili that Anzor Chubinidze's puni- tive team intimidated a juvenile and forced him to apologize in a humiliating environment in the pres- ence of his family and neighbors. Bera made his fi rst comment on the secret record- ings aired on TV Pirveli in an interview covered on TV Imedi. He said that the conversation was recorded in 2011 when he was a teenager. He states that the insulting comments spread online were disturbing to him. Hateful and threatening comments were also made about his fans. “The most disturbing thing for me in this story was the attack on my fans, children aged 10-11, by massive groups of 100-200 people. There was a threat, some nasty pornographic pictures, they wrote to the children that we will come to you homes and ‘Bera cannot protect you.’ The parents of several children contacted us. We were obliged to hand it over to the security service, they visited these people in compliance with all laws, ethics, Source: 1TV and morals. Even in those records, it is clearly heard when talking about a minor that the conversation BY TEAM GT is being attended by his parents, older neighbors, and so on. And it was just a verbal warning or This Week’s City Hall Plans advice,” he said. his week, the Prosecutor’s Offi ce of The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party echoed are almost over. The company will secure the BY TEAM GT Georgia launched an investigation the TV Pirveli story about a conversation, saying: attraction of the capital and, fi rst of all, will repur- into the unauthorized recording and “This is a gross fabrication of conversations between chase the 300 units of minibuses we bought. It / or interception of private conversa- Irakli Garibashvili, the Cartu charity fund president, will also purchase additional 400 minibuses. It tion, as well as the recording of private and minor Bera Ivanishvili that was illegally recorded bilisi Mayor, Kakha Kaladze, announced will all be completed by the end of the year. In Tcommunication, illegal use and dissemination of during the rule of the United National Movement, at this week’s government session that the coming days, Tbilisi City Hall will announce information obtained through technical means, on before Bidzina Ivanishvili’s entry into politics.” City Hall is to provide two million market research and start the bidding procedure. the grounds of Article 158, Parts 1 and 2 of the The ruling team believes the fake conversation GEL for the club culture sector, due The transportation policy consists of many com- Criminal Code of Georgia. contains words and phrases from dozens of record- to the damage caused by the pandemic. ponents. The most important thing is to upgrade The results of the investigation will be made pub- ings. TKaladze said that all those who work in this fi eld the existing fl eet and completely replace the old lic, the investigative agency says. The opposition parties demanded the resignation will receive assistance, and highlighted that the buses. This process has already begun. Buses have The move refers to recordings released by TV of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili fol- electronic music and club sector was the fi rst fi eld been purchased and we are waiting for them being Pirveli on March 6; a secret telephone recording lowing the story. They believe the conversation to shut down during the pandemic and had been delivered. Additionally, we would like to introduce in which the journalist claims that Bera Ivanishvili contains signs of a serious organized crime. severely affected, with many of its employees left approximately 180 units of 8-meter and 200 units and Irakli Garibashvili are discussing the fact of “The TV story in which Bera Ivanishvili was talk- without jobs. Kaladze also pointed to the fact that of 18-meter buses.” violence against a schoolboy over a comment posted ing to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, the club sector is an area that had made the capital on social media. and Head of Special State Protection Service of of Georgia famous in Europe and has attracted 27 FAMILIES LIVING AT DIFFERENT The author of the story notes that Anzor Chubi- Georgia, Anzor Chubinidze, contains signs of the many tourists to the country. ADDRESSES WILL RECEIVE HOUSING nidze, the head of the Special State Protection Ser- gravest organized crime. The story facts should be “On the one hand, it is necessary to alleviate the 27 families living at the different addresses, who vice, is also participating in the telephone conver- investigated,” said opposition parties Lelo for Geor- socio-economic situation of people working in this have been worried about the legalization of their sation, with whom, based on the recording, gia and United National Movement. They also fi eld and their families, maintain the viability of housing for years, will be provided with housing Ivanishvili and Garibashvili are discussing the applied to the Prosecutor’s Offi ce to start investi- the electronic music sector and other organiza- at a symbolic price of 1 GEL. revenge plan separately. gation into the secret recordings. tions, and on the other hand, with state support, The Tbilisi Mayor this week emphasized once maintain their potential and motivation to continue again that the seizure of state lands and then illegal their activities in the post-pandemic period. They constructions on those lands is categorically unac- will have maximum support from us,” he said. ceptable. He says they have a program under which “Within the framework of the Night Economy pro- 6-7 million GEL is spent to help and rent out prop- ject, I was in communication with people involved erty to the families who do not have a house and in the sector, many meetings were held, Andria are socially disadvantaged. Basilaia was conducting negotiations. We have decided to offer them an aid package, to the amount STUDENT SUPPORT of 2 million GEL, and at least 500 people employed PROGRAM EXPANDED in this fi eld will benefi t from this aid package,” the Kaladze announced that student support program Tbilisi Mayor said.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Georgian Media Environment from 2012 Parliamentary Elections Till Present Since 2012, the Georgian Media Has Experienced Signifi
    Georgian Media Environment from 2012 Parliamentary Elections till Present Since 2012, the Georgian media has experienced significant changes to become much more pluralistic, as confirmed by respective international ratings. In summer 2015, Georgia fully switched to digital broadcasting, which definitely ​ ​ should be regarded as a positive development for the Georgian media environment. Furthermore, several new TV stations were launched and some old ones resumed broadcasting. New TV “Pirveli” emerged in the Georgian television space, TV Company “Iberia” resumed its broadcasting as well. Over the last four years, position of Georgia in the media independence ratings has significantly improved. From 2012 onwards, Georgia has moved a few points ahead in the ranking of the international organization – “Reporters without Borders”. The given progress can be explained on the one hand by certain improvements in the Georgian media landscape and successful transition to digital broadcasting and on the other, by aggravated situation with regard to human rights and democracy in a number of countries worldwide. Substantial changes occurred not only with respect to media outlets, their owners and leading journalists, but in the advertising market as well. For the first time ​ ​ over the recent years, advertising revenues started to experience substantial shrinkage in 2015. Compared to the previous year, 2016 advertising income dropped by 33%, as declared by TV stations. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that present advertising market is not as much monopolized as it used to be before 2012. There is no gross interference with the advertising market on the part of the State as well. Developments unfolded in the television space deserve particular attention.
    [Show full text]
  • Weekly News Digest on Georgia June 29-July 6, 2021
    Compiled by: Aleksandre Weekly News Digest on Georgia Davitashvili June 29-July 6, 2021 Compiled on: July 7, 2021 Content Internal Affairs Internal Affairs Political Developments Political Developments 1. Parliament Amends Election Code 1. Parliament Amends Georgian Parliament adopted late on June 28, with 86 votes to three, Election Code amendments to the Election Code, a reform envisaged in the April-19 EU- 2. Central Election Commission Chair brokered deal signed by the ruling Georgian Dream and most of the opposition Resigns parties. 3. Orthodox Church Speaks The amendments introduce new rules to the election system, pre-election Out Against Pride Week campaigning and staffing the Election Administrations. As per the changes, the 4. Diplomatic Missions Central Election Commission Chair will be nominated by the President and Urge Gov’t to Protect approved by 2/3 of votes in the legislature. The number of CEC members Pride Activists increases from 12 to 17, of which eight will be “professional” and nine will be 5. President Defends Tbilisi Pride party-selected. The CEC Chair will have two deputies, one “professional” and one 6. 20 detained while trying selected from the opposition-selected members. to disrupt Tbilisi Pride The changed legislation also increases proportional representation in local events elections and imposes a 40% threshold in the majoritarian part. For example in 7. Former MP Accused of Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo), out of 50 members 40 will be elected through Sexual Violence Released proportional lists, while 10 will be majoritarian – as opposed to the previous on Bail allocation of 25 – 25 (Civil.ge, June 29, 2021).
    [Show full text]
  • Main Findings of Monitoring # 20, 7-20 July
    MAIN FINDINGS OF MONITORING # 20, 7-20 JULY The following tendencies have been statements made by Patriots’ Alli- revealed over the period from 7 to 20 ance again (Davit Tarkhan- July: Mouravi); The use of hate speech towards the Xenophobia observed in statements United National Movement (Giorgi concerning social issues, including Shengelaia, a film director), also in the abolition of moratorium on the the context of developments in sale of land to foreign citizens by Ukraine with regard to the current the decision of the Constitutional Ukrainian government and so- Court. Such rhetoric alongside poli- called Mason-Zionist regime (a ticians was also applied by repre- viewer, Obiektivi); sentatives of wider public; Islamophobic and Turkophobic Continued on p.11 Joint Statement of Non-governmental Organizations Concerning Sexist Fragment of TV Program on GDS TV July 14, 2014 We would like to react to a fragment from the TV pro- INSIDE THIS ISSUE gram “Bina -18,” aired by GDS TV Studio on July 9, which contained humiliating visualization of a female Hate Speech 2 body. We believe that aforementioned footage repre- 2 sents openly sexist interpretation of roles of women and Islamophobia/Turkophobia men in society and further reinforces negative stereotypes among the society. Xenophobia 3 Therefore, this fragment requires adequate assessment. Sale of land to foreign citizens 3-4 No doubt that the freedom of expression implies the right to express any idea and opinion; however legal guarantees of the freedom of speech and expression do not Discrimination on religious ground 4-5 relieve media from responsibilities and duties inherent to this profession.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia Capital: Tbilisi Population: 3.72 Million GNI/Capita, PPP: $9,530
    Georgia Capital: Tbilisi Population: 3.72 million GNI/capita, PPP: $9,530 Source: World Bank World Development Indicators. Nations in Transit Ratings and Averaged Scores 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 National Democratic 6.00 6.00 5.75 5.75 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 Governance Electoral Process 5.25 5.25 5.00 5.00 4.75 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 Civil Society 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 Independent Media 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.25 Local Democratic 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.25 5.25 5.25 5.25 Governance Judicial Framework 4.75 4.75 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 4.75 4.75 5.00 and Independence Corruption 5.00 5.00 4.75 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 Democracy Score 4.93 4.93 4.86 4.82 4.75 4.68 4.64 4.61 4.61 4.68 NOTE: The ratings reflect the consensus of Freedom House, its academic advisers, and the author(s) of this report. If consensus cannot be reached, Freedom House is responsible for the final ratings. The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 7 the lowest.
    [Show full text]
  • Complex Education Reform to Be Launched in Georgia
    Issue no: 1123 • FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50 In this week’s issue... Kaladze’s Weekly Priorities: Public Transport, Support for Children with Autism NEWS PAGE 3 Georgian FM Holds High-Rank Meetings in Washington POLITICS PAGE 4 Freedom House 2019: Georgia is “Partly Free” FOCUS ON THE OPERA Don Carlo returns to Georgia with a star cast PAGE 11 POLITICS PAGE 5 Expansion of Georgia’s Complex Education Reform Black Sea Ports: Modus Vivendi for Georgia BUSINESS PAGE 7 to Be Launched in Georgia Anastasia Pirveli: Georgia’s BY THEA MORRISON Transgender Star ikheil Batiashvili, Minister of Edu- cation, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, held a summarizing presentation of the Education System Complex Reform. MThe reform implies a number of changes to the education system and includes changes in the pre- school, secondary, vocational, higher education and science areas, with Georgian experts and edu- cation subject-matter specialists actively engaged in the reform design and development process. SOCIETY PAGE 9 International organizations the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), “Matters of the Dark & Asian Development Bank (ADB) and almost all donor agencies and international partners of Geor- Irresistible,” a Disturbing gia also participated in forming the upcoming strategy. Exhibition at the MOMA Continued on page 2 Image source: mes.gov.ge CULTURE PAGE 11 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 PM Bakhtadze Meets with EBRD Managing Director nomic growth. BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA The conversation also touched upon upcoming projects targeted by the EBRD for investment and the interest of the he Prime Minister of Geor- Bank in implementing a number of ini- gia Mamuka Bakhtadze held tiatives in the public sector.
    [Show full text]
  • Working Paper April 2021 #15
    GIP W O R K I N G P A P E R APRIL 2021 #15 MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ULTRANATIONALIST GROUPS IN GEORGIA: MAPPING THE STRUCTURE OF THE DISCOURSE Nino Abzianidze P I GEORGIAN INSTITUTE G OF POLITICS GIP WORKING PAPER APRIL 2021 #15 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nino Abzianidze holds a PhD degree in political science from the University of Zurich, Switzerland. At various times, she has worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Departments of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Central European University in Budapest. She has also conducted research at the School of Media and Communication of the University of Leeds in the UK. Her research interests revolve around the issues of political communication in ethnically divided societies, as well as media research in the contexts of democratization, nationalism and civil conflicts. Nino is also interested in political methodology. Currently, Nino serves as an Associated Professor at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) and a communications coordinator at GIP. Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) is a Tbilisi-based non-profit, non-partisan, research and analysis organization. GIP works to strengthen the organizational backbone of democratic institutions and promote good governance and development through policy research and advocacy in Georgia. This publication was produced with the financial support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation. The views, opinions and statements expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs only and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Foundation. Therefore, the Open Society Georgia Foundation is not responsible for the content of the information material.
    [Show full text]
  • Weekly News Digest on Georgia March 10-15, 2021
    Compiled by: Aleksandre Weekly News Digest on Georgia Davitashvili March 10-15, 2021 Compiled on: March 16, 2021 Content Internal Affairs Internal Affairs Politics Politics 1. European Parliament Debates Georgia Crisis 1. European Parliament Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Debates Georgia Crisis Security Policy: “Georgia remains a key associated partner of the European 2. State Protection Service Head Talks Covert Union. We have with Georgia an ambitious association agreement that has Recordings offered crucial political association and economic integration with the EU. 3. Bera Ivanishvili However, unhappily, the political situation in the country has been a cause of Unrepentant about serious concerns in recent months due to increasing political polarization. This Threatening his situation risks undermining Georgia’s democracy. I repeat our strong view that it Offenders is now important for all parties to step up efforts to deescalate the situation and 4. Recordings Case: Court Permits Prosecutor to to come together to identify and agree on common ground. The President of the Retrieve Material European Council has just visited Georgia recently and had the opportunity to Evidence from TV Pirveli visit the President, Prime Minister, and the leaders of the main opposition parties. 5. Reactions on TV Pirveli And during this visit, he was engaged in discussion with the political parties and Court Permits after coming back, in cooperation with the High Representative he announced 6. Covert Recordings last evening to mandate to European Union civil servant Mr. Christian Danielsson Probe: CSOs Decry ‘Dangerous Precedent,’ to engage in these EU-backed mediation efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • Who Owns Georgia's Media
    Who Owns Georgia’s Media? Transparency International Georgia April 2014 Transparency International Georgia Tbilisi, April 2014 Website: http://transparency.ge/en The G-MEDIA program is made possible by support from the American people through USAID. The content and opinions expressed herein are those of Transparency International Georgia and do not reflect the views of the U.S. Government, USAID or IREX. 2 Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4 Ownership transparency........................................................................................................... 4 Revenues ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Market concentration ................................................................................................................. 5 Ownership: TV and radio ................................................................................................. 6 Rustavi 2 .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Imedi TV .......................................................................................................................................... 8 GDS (Georgian Dream Studio) ...............................................................................................10 Maestro TV ...................................................................................................................................12
    [Show full text]
  • Daily News Report on Georgia
    DAILY NEWS REPORT ON GEORGIA Compiled by: Mary Bugadze Date: January 9, 2020 Occupied Regions 1. Lapland Santa Claus arrived in Ditsi together with ambassadors Santa Claus from Lapland arrived in Ditsi together with the ambassadors. Children from several villages along the occupation line were waiting for Santa from the morning. He gave gifts to the little ones at the local school and wished them a happy New Year (Rustavi2, January 7, 2020). 2. The President of Georgia met Christmas in the village of Nikozi near the occupation line Salome Zourabichvili attended Christmas Liturgy at Ascension Church in Nikozi village, which is adjacent to the occupied Tskhinvali region. The President has not commented on the issue of Giorgi Mamaladze. The Metropolitan of Athens and Gori did not speak in this case either. Reverend Andria dedicated the sermon entirely to the meaning of the Christmas holiday and congratulated the parishioners on Christmas (Rustavi2, January 7, 2020). Foreign Affairs 3. “I apologize for the actions of my Government ... I ask the Georgia for political asylum” - Russian journalist Russian journalist and civil activist Yuri Izotov seeks asylum in Georgia. He talks about the repression of the Russian government and says that he has to protect himself from the possible extradition to Russia. “While in Russia, I was holding protests in front of a government building with posters in hand. I went to Ukraine because some Russian government groups threatened me. Putin is a dictator who started a war with sovereign states. He kills, persecutes, and arrests political opponents. 20% of Georgian territories are occupied by the Putin regime.
    [Show full text]
  • Pre-Election Media Monitoring Report of the Communications Commission
    Pre-Election Media Monitoring Report of the Communications Commission Qualitative Report (01.10.2020 – 31.10.2020) Results of Qualitative and Quantitative Media Monitoring Conducted by the Communications Commission (01.10.2020 – 31.10.2020) The Communications Commission is publishing the media monitoring report on the pre-election period of the 2020 Georgian parliamentary elections, covering the period between 1 October and 31 October 2020. Qualitative and quantitative monitoring of the following six national broadcasters was carried out during the reporting period: the First Channel of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, Adjara TV of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, Rustavi 2, Teleimedi, TV Pirveli and Mtavari Arkhi (Main Channel). Monitoring was carried out during the prime time period between 19:00 and 00:00 each day. During the monitoring process, the Commission scrutinised the following: a) Pre-election advertising; b) Pre-election debates; c) News programmes and political shows; d) Pre-election canvassing; e) Public opinion polls / surveys. Media monitoring of the 2020 Georgian parliamentary elections was carried out by employees of the Communications Commission, together with persons specially selected through competition. The Communications Commission monitors were trained by the Council of Europe media expert and Executive Director of the media monitoring organisation Memo 98, Rasto Kuzel. By sharing international best practices, Mr. Kuzel explained the peculiarities and specifics of conducting qualitative media monitoring during a pre- election campaign. The monitors deepened their knowledge of pre-election media monitoring in accordance with internationally recognised standards. The monitoring process included a detailed analysis of fair and transparent distribution of paid and free pre- election advertising among broadcasting companies.
    [Show full text]
  • Digital Messenger.Pmd
    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 The Messenger P3 “Impartial, Informative, Insightful” GEL 3.00 The #047 (4851) MessengerWEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 WWW.MESSENGER.COM.GE Opinion & Analysis President of the European Council The government refuses appoints Christian Danielsson to compromise, opposition bloc relies on protests and to mediate the crisis sanctions from western partners FULL STORY ON Page 2 Politics US ambassador Degnan meets PM Garibashvili FULL STORY ON Page 2 Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into covert audio recordings involving PM FULL STORY ON Page 3 Christian Danielsson BY VERONIKA MALINBOYM the opposition bloc. ropean Union to Georgia, Carl Hartzel: Mr. Danielsson will be traveling to The official statement released by the “Mr. Danielsson will mediate the re- Georgia in the coming days to engage n March 9, President of the Euro European Council states that Christian launched dialogue among Georgia’s po- with all stakeholders to the process”. Opean Council Charles Michel an- Danielsson will be traveling to Georgia litical parties, working closely with the The press release also notes that Presi- nounced that Christian Danielsson in the nearest future in order to “medi- Ambassador of the European Union to dent Michel and High Representative would take on the role of an official me- ate the relaunched dialogue” between Georgia, Carl Hartzell, with the aim to Borell encourage all parties to fully com- diator of the EU-backed negotiations Georgia’s political parties, in close coop- overcome the current political tensions mit to the dialogue for the sake of the between the Georgian government and eration with the Ambassador of the Eu- in Georgia.
    [Show full text]
  • GEORGIA an Information Ecosystem Assessment
    GEORGIA An Information Ecosystem Assessment Part Two: Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Information This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). February 2021 2 Georgia An Information Ecosystem About This Report Internews’ Information Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) methodology is designed to help understand how information moves and flows through communities. Information ecosystems are more than infrastructure or networks of formal news media and other information channels. Informal networks, personal connections, digital and face- to-face channels, and trust-based information flows that are influenced to varying degrees by news or media are all parts of an information ecosystem. To make sense of these dynamic systems a broad view Acknowledgements is needed. Internews’ IEA model goes beyond the traditional ‘supply side’ view of media landscape and media capacity (information infrastructure, Research for this report was led by tools, media, producers, consumer data, curators, a team of researchers in Georgia, and sharers), to encompass a ‘demand side’ Dr. Anna Keshelashvili, perspective, where the human factor is critical for Dr. Maia Mikashavidze, a full understanding of any Information Ecosystem. Ekaterine Basilaia, Teo Kavtaradze, This IEA is a detailed examination of the information Mariam Menabde, ecosystem in Georgia, analyzing the various means of information exchange for the population. The in partnership with the Caucasus report is intended as a practical tool to help inform Research Resource Center, programming priorities and policy approaches. The Koba Turmanidze, Otar Saldadze, Georgia IEA, which was completed with support Kristine Vacharadze, and support from from Facebook, includes an in-depth examination the Internews editorial team, Rafiq of social media.
    [Show full text]