GEORGIA

MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX 2018 Tracking Development of Sustainable Independent Media Around the World AT A GLANCE GENERAL MEDIA-SPECIFIC ▶▶Population: 4,926,330 mln (CIA World ▶▶Languages (% of population): Georgian ▶▶Number of print outlets, radio stations, ▶▶Annual advertising revenue in the media Factbook, July 2017 est,) (official) 87.6%, Azeri 6.2%, Armenian 3.9%, television stations nationwide: Print: 317 sector: The estimated revenue of the ▶▶Capital city: Russian 1.2%, other 1% (CIA World Factbook, newspapers (National Statistics Office of television advertising market in 2017 reached 2014est.) Georgia, 2017); Broadcast: 91 active radio GEL 70 million (approximately $28 mln); (TV ▶▶Ethnic groups (% of population): Georgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other ▶▶GNI (2016-Atlas): $ 14,259.35 million (World broadcasting licenses, 30 Multiplex operators, MR GE, 2017) 2.3% (CIA World Factbook, 2014) Bank Development Indicators, 2016) 111 TV broadcasters with different types of ▶▶News agencies: AP Bureau, Reuters Bureau, authorizations (one and the same company Agence France Presse (representatives), ▶▶Religion (% of population): Orthodox ▶▶GNI per capita (2016-PPP): $ 9,530 (World Bank, International Comparison owns several authorizations), 6 radio Bloomberg (local representative), info 9, Black Christian 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, broadcasters with authorization. (Georgian Armenian-Apostolic 2.9%, other 1.2%, none Program database, 2016) Sea Press, Iveroni, NovostiGruzia, Sarke, National Communications Registry, accessed Interpressnews, Iprinda, Kavkazpress, Media 0.5% (CIA World Factbook, 2014) ▶▶Literacy rate: 99.8% (male 99.8%, female in December, 2017) 99.7 %) (2015est. CIA World Factbook) News, Prime Time News, Pirveli, Georgian ▶▶Newspaper circulation statistics (total Business Consulting News, Georgian ▶ President Giorgi ▶ President or top authority: circulation and largest paper): Rezonanse HotNews, GeoNews, Expressnews, World Margvelashvili (since October 27, 2013) (4,000–5,000 daily), Kviris Palitra (average Sport, ambebi.ge, Business Press News, 55,000 weekly) (individual newspaper claims) Droni.ge, epn.ge, agenda.ge, Aianews.ge, ▶▶Broadcast ratings: Highest rated television Information Center, Primetimenews. outlets in the country: Rustavi2, 4.63%; Imedi, ge, Kvemo Information Center, 4.91%; GDS, 1.06%, Comedy Channel 0.74%; Mtkheta-Tianeti Information Center, For. Chanel 1 0.64% (TV MR GE, 2017) ge, Frontnews.ge, Civil.ge, Economic.ge, marshalpres.ge, bpi.ge ▶▶Internet subscribers: 733,691 (Georgian National Communications Commission, December, 2017) MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX: GEORGIA SCORE KEY Unsustainable, Anti-Free Press (0–1): Country does not meet or only minimally meets objectives. Government and laws actively hinder free media development, professionalism

SUSTAINABLE is low, and media-industry activity is minimal.

Unsustainable Mixed System (1–2): Country minimally 2.92 2.86

2.82 meets objectives, with segments of the legal system and 2.77 2.75 2.70 2.64 NEAR government opposed to a free media system. Evident progress 2.61 2.54 2.53 2.53 2.51 2.50 2.49 2.48 2.46

2.45 in free-press advocacy, increased professionalism, and new 2.41 SUSTAINABILITY 2.36 2.35 2.34 2.29 2.27 2.26 media businesses may be too recent to judge sustainability. 2.20

2.00 Near Sustainability (2–3): Country has progressed in meeting 1.83 multiple objectives, with legal norms, professionalism, and the 1.62 1.61 1.60

SUSTAINABILITY business environment supportive of independent media. Advances MIXED SYSTEM

UNSUSTAINABLE have survived changes in government and have been codified in law and practice. However, more time may be needed to ensure that change is enduring and that increased professionalism and the media business environment are sustainable.

Sustainable (3–4): Country has media that are considered 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 UNSUSTAINABLE ANTI-FREE PRESS generally professional, free, and sustainable, or to be approaching FREE PROFESSIONAL PLURALITY OF BUSINESS SUPPORTING SPEECH JOURNALISM NEWS SOURCES MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONS these objectives. Systems supporting independent media OBJECTIVES have survived multiple governments, economic fluctuations, and changes in public opinion or social conventions.

Scores for all years may be found online at https://www.irex.org/msi or Georgian media, 2017 was a vexing compete with commercial media for shows and OVERALL year. Trends that took hold the previous dwindling ad revenues. year—including politicization of media SCORE The GNCC sought expanded authority in the and shrinking advertising revenue— areas of media literacy, hate speech, and opinion tightened their grip on the television polls, moves that panel members called thinly 2.31 stations that provide most veiled efforts to impose more government with most of their news. The main, putatively F control over independent media. There was independent state media bodies, the Georgian turmoil for major private broadcasters, as the Business management remained Public Broadcaster (GPB) and the Georgia long-running and highly politicized legal fight the weakest element of Georgia’s National Communications Commission (GNCC), over ownership of 2, the top-rated media landscape in a year showed worrying signs of becoming overtly channel, went to the European Court of Human that saw consolidation of the political actors. advertising market, mergers of Rights and the station’s finances nosedived. The GPB started the year with a newly elected pro-government channels, and Afgan Mukhtarli, an Azerbaijani investigative director. The main public broadcaster undertook the crisis at Rustavi 2, which was reporter who went into exile in Georgia to a series of changes that included: dropping punctuated by the defection of escape his home country’s clampdown on critically acclaimed social and political talk several highly rated programs. media critical of its government, was snatched shows; bringing in journalists from Georgian With their financial viability at off the street in Tbilisi and transported to Baku, Dream Studio (GDS), the television company risk, major broadcasters, for the where he is being held on questionable criminal formerly owned by the family of billionaire first time, sought income from charges. His abduction sparked an outcry businessman and former Prime Minister Bidzina cable carriers for transmitting from civil society and mainstream Georgian Ivanishvili; and relegating minority-language their shows, challenging the journalists, who took part in public and on-air programming to its website. Off the air, GPB “must carry, must offer” principle protests to express solidarity with Mukhtarli and backed amendments to the Law on Broadcasting in Georgian law. The depth of to challenge government denials of complicity in that broaden its access to advertisers and loosen the industry’s problems remains his abduction. unclear, as the GNCC did not restrictions on its acquisition of programming. release revenue figures for major The measures potentially position the GPB to stations. All the above contributed to the panel’s outlook on the state of Georgian media, dropping the country’s score from 2.34 to 2.31.

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OBJECTIVE 1: the GNCC’s “selective and inconsistent approach” in Kakheti and Mountain Radio in Mtskheta-Tianeti, FREEDOM OF 2.54 to sanctioning outlets over polls published in the ostensibly due to a shortage of frequencies. In SPEECH run-up to Georgia’s 2016 national elections, with another case, she said the GNCC denied frequencies broadcasters critical of the government facing to Radio Palitra and Radio Hereti in the first round The score for this objective declined by 0.21 point heavier penalties. Tamar Kintsurashvili, the director of applications, saying they were both so good the amid what panelists characterized as government of MDF, said the rule on polling could give GNCC commission could not make up its mind. “Wherever attempts to impose mechanisms for greater control over “not only the broadcasters, but research we have licensing, we have vague and badly justified media control. Upheaval at GPB; ownership and organizations as well.” The Georgia chapter of decisions or artificially prolonged procedures,” content controversies at Rustavi 2, the largest Transparency International (TI) criticized the Kuprashvili said. broadcast network and a thorn in the Georgian amendment, saying it could dampen public partic- There was contention and controversy Dream government’s side; and Mukhtarli’s ipation in opinion polls by arousing suspicions throughout the year about the GPB’s trajectory abduction and return to were also “that the regulator might learn about the positions under its new director general, Vasil Maglaperidze, cited as causes for concern. expressed by the participants of the survey and their a former lawmaker and governor who previously stated support for political parties.” Georgia’s legislation guaranteeing free expression The final proposed amendment would, under and freedom of the press remains among the the umbrella of harmonizing Georgian law with Legal and social norms protect and promote strongest in the region, and a new constitution European Union directives, expand the GNCC’s free speech and access to public information. drafted in 2017 and awaiting adoption would authority to regulate broadcasters’ professional and FREE-SPEECH INDICATORS enshrine Internet access as a constitutional right. ethical standards in areas such as hate speech and ▶▶Legal and social ▶▶Libel is a civil law issue; However, Zviad Koridze, an independent media discrimination, matters media currently self-regulate protections of free public officials are held expert, said proposed legislative amendments are by means of codes of conduct. Nino Jangirashvili, speech exist and to higher standards, chipping away at those protections. “They are aimed director of regional broadcaster Kavkasia TV, said are enforced. and offended parties at cultivating the idea in society that media self-reg- the vague legal definition of hate speech could must prove falsity ▶▶Licensing of broadcast and malice. ulation can be restricted, that the media need to be give the GNCC, with its pro-government leanings, media is fair, competitive, regulated more,” he noted. cover to sanction critical outlets such as Rustavi 2. and apolitical. ▶▶Public information is easily accessible; In October 2017, GNCC submitted to the Nata Dzvelishvili, executive director of the Georgian ▶▶Market entry and tax right of access to parliament three amendments to the Law on Charter of Journalism Ethics (GCJE), agreed: “Hate structure for media are information is equally fair and comparable enforced for all media Broadcasting that panelists viewed as an expansion speech is so subjective that this amendment can to other industries. of the regulator’s authority. One amendment would be used subjectively against any media.” She and journalists. centralize a diffuse effort to improve Georgians’ added, “GNCC’s latest actions demonstrate that the ▶▶Crimes against ▶▶Media outlets have journalists or media media literacy—currently involving school programs commission has been gradually departing from its unrestricted access outlets are prosecuted to information; this is and self-regulation by broadcasters—under the essence, which is an independent regulatory body.” vigorously, but equally enforced for all authority of GNCC, which would establish a The GNCC also drew fire from panelists occurrences of such media and journalists. media-literacy strategy and create a nonprofit for what they called protracted procedures and crimes are rare. ▶▶Entry into the agency to implement it. The second proposed vague, poorly explained decisions on granting ▶▶State or public media do journalism profession amendment would obligate broadcasters “to verify radio licenses. Natia Kuprashvili, director of the not receive preferential is free, and government legal treatment, and the trustworthiness and objectivity of opinion polls” newly formed Alliance of Broadcasters (AB) and imposes no licensing, law guarantees editorial restrictions, or special in pre-election periods. It follows what a Media a professor at , cited the independence. rights for journalists. Development Foundation (MDF) report termed regulator’s rejection of licenses for Iomurghalo Radio

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worked at GDS, the television station owned by TV, by contrast, received high statement signed by various nongovernmental ’s family. Maglaperidze’s affiliation marks from panel members, who unanimously organizations (NGOs) saying the legislation risks with the ruling party created apprehension in agreed it operates in accord with the standards “enabling nontransparent activities by GPB and civil society when he was elected by the public and philosophy of a public broadcaster. Nina corruption, weakens public control over GPB, and broadcaster’s board in January, said Hatia Ivanishvili (no relation to Bidzina Ivanishvili), dean creates a noncompetitive environment in the media Jinjikhadze, media-support program manager at the of the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media advertising market.” Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF). “What Management at the Georgian Institute of Public There were threats to media freedom on the has happened since his arrival has validated our Affairs (GIPA), said picking up the RFE/RL programs judicial front. Eva Gotsiridze, a member of the High suspicions,” she added. dropped by GPB’s 1TV channel has helped boost Council of Justice of Georgia, sought to restrict open Panel members echoed civil society groups in Adjara’s audience. reporting of court cases, arguing that it made courts condemning reforms the GPB undertook throughout vulnerable to outside influences and that self-regu- the year. In February, Maglaperidze announced “If we are speaking about the protection lating mechanisms were inadequate. “We assessed plans to suspend 102 programs and air only of journalists, the Public Ombudsman this as an attempt of censorship,” GCJE’s Dzvelishvili newscasts until 2018, writing in an action plan that said. Gotsiridze was subsequently appointed to the “radical steps” were needed to avert a “crisis” at the covers this area, and if we are talking Constitutional Court of Georgia, a move Dzvelishvili station and continue to justify its public funding, about self-regulation, we already have such said suggests that “some of our leading political but the GPB board rejected the initiative. In June, bodies,” Dzvelishvili said. “There is no need forces share her values.” the broadcaster dropped two programs produced Gotsiridze has been a staunch defender of by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) to set up additional institutions, especially Tamaz Urtmelidze, the Tbilisi City Court judge Georgian service: Red Zone, which aired on GPB for those under the government.” who presided over the politically charged Rustavi almost 10 years, and InterVIEW, a talk show known 2 ownership case. On March 2, 2017, the Georgia for tough questioning of politicians and public GPB could also benefit from amendments Supreme Court upheld Urtmelidze’s decision officials. They are now carried by another public to the Law on Broadcasting that were given final granting 100 percent control of the channel to channel, Adjara TV. approval by the parliament on December 22, after Kibar Khalvashi, its former owner and reportedly a GPB has also recruited current and former the Media Sustainability Index (MSI) panel had ally. Khalvashi claimed Rustavi 2 GDS employees, among them hosts from 2030, convened. The revised law lifts GPB’s obligation was taken from him by the previous administration a talk show launched by Bidzina Ivanishvili. In to follow the Law on Public Procurement: it will of , and he sued to regain control. October, GPB awarded an equipment-rental contract no longer have to announce public tenders when The case was widely viewed as a political struggle worth more than GEL 372,000 (Georgian lari, the purchasing media products or services. The law also over the station, which has backed the opposition rough equivalent of $146,400) to Silk Factor Studio, allows the channel to double advertising airtime, United National Movement. a company run by Bera Ivanishvili, the ex‒prime from 30 minutes per 24 hours to 60 minutes; halve Rustavi 2’s management, which fought the minister’s son. A public outcry forced the parties to free airtime allocated for public-service messages ownership change, appealed to the European Court cancel the deal, and Silk Factor donated the lighting from 24 to 12 minutes; and accept sponsorship of of Human Rights (ECHR), which on March 4 ordered and other gear instead. entertainment programs and television series. Georgia’s government to suspend the Supreme Maglaperidze’s “only media experience was Prior to adoption, the amendments were Court ruling—which it did—and to “abstain from working at Bidzina Ivanishvili’s channel,” Jangirashvili roundly criticized by civil-society groups. The interfering with the applicant company’s editorial said. “He was chosen for his political affiliation and Institute for Development of Freedom of Information policy in any manner.” Koridze said the government political trustworthiness. … He lacks vision on how a (IDFI) said the draft disregarded the true value “failed to realize that [the case] was about freedom public broadcaster should function.” of the public broadcaster, and GCJE released a of expression and not about identity of the owner,”

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leading to the ECHR decision. Kintsurashvili called or ineffective work of Georgian state institutions, involving Nanuka’s Show, a talk show on Rustavi the European court’s ruling “foundational” for media if not with their active support and direct partici- 2, which a court ordered to correct defamatory pluralism in Georgia. pation.” Kvirikashvili denied involvement by Georgian statements made by a divorced couple in an The same week as the Rustavi 2 rulings, Prime authorities “in any such activity.”2 Jinjikhadze of interview. Panel members questioned the court’s Minister proposed establishing a OSGF alleged the government concealed details of decision to hold the station accountable for Media Ombudsman’s Office to monitor the country’s the case and “prevented journalists from obtaining statements that were made by guests rather than by media environment and its development.1 Panelists information collected from street security cameras.” journalists or hosts. said the media community views the new office Jinjikhadze said many Georgian journalists In September, Georgia succeeded France as unnecessary. “If we are speaking about the view the incident as an indication that “Georgia is in chairing the Open Government Partnership, protection of journalists, the Public Ombudsman no longer a safe country and his abduction poses a multilateral initiative aimed at promoting covers this area, and if we are talking about self-reg- a threat to every one of them.” While some outlets transparency and accountability among member ulation, we already have such bodies,” Dzvelishvili “uncritically reiterat[ed] government positions” on the governments. Despite such public commitments said. “There is no need to set up additional incident, many journalists engaged in public protests. to openness, panel members said access to public institutions, especially those under the government.” Notably, in the days after the abduction, several information in Georgia is gradually worsening. A Georgian journalists expressed shock and prominent television presenters wore bags over their draft Freedom of Information Act prepared in 2015 dismay over the abduction in May of Azerbaijani heads during their shows and in appearances before is stalled, and public institutions commonly withhold investigative reporter Afgan Mukhtarli, the highest the Georgian parliament’s Human Rights and Civil information under the guise of protecting personal profile case of violence against a journalist in Integration Committee. data or privacy rights. As in previous years, release Georgia in 2017. Mukhtarli and his wife went into Radio Marneuli director Kamila Mamedova told of information by public agencies is protracted, exile in Tbilisi in 2015, fearing for his safety after he TI she came under pressure from regional officials and the data provided to journalists are often reported on corruption in the Azerbaijani military. He over critical reports by the community station, which incomplete. Gela Mtivlishvili, director of the Kakheti had since been investigating the Georgian business serves a border region in southeastern Georgia.3 Information Center, said there were occasions in holdings of Azerbaijani President ’s Mamedova said she and her staff were threatened 2017 when administrative bodies told him that they family. On May 29, he went missing from Tbilisi; the on the phone and in social media and private would not release information to him because they next day, Amnesty International reported that he was conversations, and a fake Facebook account spread did not trust him. in detention in Baku and “at risk of torture and other information about her personal life. She appealed to A controversial provision of the new Georgian ill treatment.” According to his lawyer, Mukhtarli was police to investigate. constitution that sets grounds for when the snatched off a Tbilisi street by plain-clothed men Neither slander nor libel are criminal offenses government can permissibly withhold public who spoke Georgian; they beat him, placed a bag in Georgia; if either is proved, a civil award for information was watered down in the amendment over his head, and took him to the border. damages is applied. There were several cases process. The constitution approved by the Through his lawyer, Mukhtarli asserted of libel adjudicated in 2017; panelists noted one parliament on first reading in September 2017 that his assailants in Tbilisi were members of included language sought by the Ministry of Justice the Georgian security force. In a joint statement allowing nondisclosure if requested information issued by TI Georgia, several human-rights organi- 2 “Georgian Officials on Azerbaijani Journalist’s Alleged contains state, professional, commercial, or zations expressed doubt that the arrest could have Abduction,” Civil Georgia, June 1, 2017, http://civil.ge/eng/ personal secrets. Civil society and some lawmakers taken place “without at least a willing ignorance article.php?id=30149. criticized that standard as too broad. On second 3 “Possible instances of intimidation of Radio Marneuli reading in December, it was amended to eliminate journalists,” Transparency International Georgia, 1 “PM Kvirikashvili Mulls Media Ombudsman’s Office,” Civil July 6, 2017, http://www.transparency.ge/en/post/ personal confidentiality as grounds for withholding Georgia, http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=29907. possible-instances-intimidation-radio-marneuli-journalists. information and set parameters for recognizing

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state secrets, defined as information “necessary in a with 100 representing “least free.”5 The report As was the case during 2016’s national democratic society for ensuring national security or found “few indications of censorship or online elections, political considerations deeply public safety, or interests of legal proceedings.” IDFI content manipulation by the Georgian authorities” affected coverage of major issues, panelists said. said these grounds, “upon good-faith interpretation, but said “unreliable and politically biased content, Jangirashvili cited Imedi TV’s handling of Panorama may be considered legitimate for restricting access including anti-Western propaganda, also prolif- Tbilisi, a massive development project backed by to public information” but expressed hope that “their erated online.” Freedom House noted Georgia’s Bidzina Ivanishvili that has sparked public protests inclusion in the constitution does not create a future “increasingly diverse” online media environment and and resistance from preservationists and environ- risk of excessive, disproportionate restriction of the growing blogosphere but added that “there are few mental activists. right at the legislative level.”4 The new constitution is bloggers who create content that has an impact “[Imedi’s] coverage of Panorama Tbilisi was set to take effect after the 2018 presidential election. on the political agenda, or who spark widespread positive and did not mention the protests by the The parliament established a new unit within discussion online.” political opposition and civil society at the Tbilisi the State Security Service, the Operative-Technical The government applies no restrictions to the City Assembly against the mayor’s office’s decision Agency, which is charged with carrying out secret journalism profession, either in terms of students to hand over a piece of land in Tbilisi Old Town to surveillance. This change was prompted by the entering university programs or journalists already in Ivanishvili. This news story is an example of a blatant Constitutional Court’s 2016 ruling that sections of the workforce. violation of journalism standards,” Jangirashvili said. the law on electronic communication that gave “If this happened in some marginal media, we would the Security Service direct, unrestricted access to not worry that much, but this has been happening telecom operators were unconstitutional. Under OBJECTIVE 2: on the most-watched national television outlets.” the previous legal regime, politicians and media PROFESSIONAL 2.36 European Union‒ and United Nations‒funded JOURNALISM figures were routinely victimized by leaks of secret monitoring of prime-time news programs on 14 recordings. The new law was criticized by nongov- national and regional television stations in the ernmental organizations affiliated with IDFI’s This The score for this objective was virtually six months prior to October 2017 elections for Affects You campaign, telecom companies, the unchanged from last year. Panelists said major municipal and local offices found that six of the Public Defender’s Office, and the president of events receive extensive and varied coverage channels allocated the most airtime to Georgian Georgia, who said it runs counter to the court’s and adherence to media ethics codes is Dream—a change from past years, when the ruling decision and expands government surveillance improving. However, self-censorship is still party received the most coverage on a majority of powers. widely practiced, especially at pro-government channels.6 Election coverage on the 20 online media Panel members say access to foreign outlets, and political preferences often outweigh outlets analyzed was found to be superficial but information sources is not restricted in any way. professional standards. reasonably balanced and impartial. The monitoring Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net 2017 report of 12 newspapers published in Tbilisi and the gives Georgia a score of 24 on a 0-to-100 scale, Jinjikhadze said reporting is often formally balanced regions showed regular use of “offensive or discrim- but lacking in depth. “We see all sides of the story inating terminology” in capital-based papers but present, but journalists themselves cannot tell a none in the regional outlets, which largely covered story,” she said. “This compels me to say that the 4 “Constitutional Amendments Change the quality of journalism hasn’t improved much.” Grounds for Restricting Access to Public 6 Results of Media Monitoring for the 2017 Local Information,” Institute for Development of Freedom Self-Governance Elections in Georgia, The European of Information, December 22, 2017, https://idfi.ge/en/ 5 “Georgia Country Profile,” Freedom on the Net 2017, Union for Georgia and the United Nations Development access_to_information_bases_changed_following_the_ Freedom House, https://freedomhouse.org/report/ Programme, http://mediamonitor.ge/uploads_script/ consitutional_ammendments_in_georgia. freedom-net/2017/georgia. accounts/MM_FINAL_REPORT_2017_ENG.pdf.

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Journalism meets professional topics,” she said. In 2017, GCJE crafted themed sets and impartial, quality reporting include Liberali standards of quality. of guidelines for reporting on gender issues, court magazine; the newspaper Batumelebi; news cases, and mental health. websites Netgazeti, OC Media, and On.ge; and PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM INDICATORS In December, GPB faced a wave of criticism broadcaster RFE/RL. ▶▶Reporting is fair, ▶▶Entertainment from Georgian writers and media ethics watchdogs Panelists said journalists who work for pro-gov- objective, and programming does for airing video footage released by the Ministry ernment outlets are aware of boundaries they should well sourced. not eclipse news and information of Internal Affairs of poet Zviad Ratiani’s arrest in not cross. “When you work in such an organi- ▶▶Journalists follow programming. Tbilisi. Grigol Gogelia, chairman of GPB’s board zation, your producer doesn’t have to remind you recognized and accepted of trustees, declared that showing such material every time what topics to cover and how to report ethical standards. ▶▶Technical facilities and equipment for infringed on Ratiani’s human rights and the public on them. Everything is already clear,” Jangirashvili ▶▶Journalists and editors gathering, producing, broadcaster’s standards. said. “You know what editorial policy line the outlet do not practice and distributing self-censorship. Journalists are increasingly using social media follows; you know which topics are preferred by news are modern to hunt for or flesh out stories and get access to your management, and you do it. In other words, and efficient. ▶▶Journalists cover key sources, panelists said. Kintsurashvili and Mtivlishvili you practice self-censorship.” events and issues. ▶▶Quality niche reporting said this can result in the spread of fake news and programming ▶▶Pay levels for journalists and other violations of professional and ethical and other media exists (investigative, “We see all sides of the story present, but professionals are economics/business, standards. Mtivlishvili added that plagiarism is journalists themselves cannot tell a story,” sufficiently high to local, political). rampant in some online media, and it is impossible discourage corruption. to trace culprits due to the proliferation of she said. “This compels me to say that the questionable media portals, which have no difficulty quality of journalism hasn’t improved much.” obtaining low-cost domains. political forces impartially, actively addressed social The use of discriminatory and hate speech Corporate as well as political interests can issues in their communities, and cited diverse remains problematic. On May 29, MDF lodged foster self-censorship. Jangirashvili said some large sources of information. a complaint with GCJE over an article in the businesses can “literally wipe out” material that puts GCJE’s pre-election monitoring of television newspaper Rezonansi headlined “Arabs, Indians, them in an unfavorable light. Nestan Tsetskhladze, talk shows revealed many instances of hosts Iranians, and Turks distribute Georgian lands editor of Netgazeti, said the site’s negotiations with asking superficial questions or none at all, leaving among themselves.” MDF charged that the a company for large-scale advertising fell apart the platform entirely to political candidates, article violates ethical standards by engaging in because the firm insisted Netgazeti not report Dzvelishvili said. xenophobia and encouraging discrimination. The on the company or its business practices. “The Most panelists said ethical violations in GCJE board upheld the complaint. outrageous thing was when they told me, everyone television news and information programs are Kintsurashvili, MDF’s director, also cited the else”—referring to other media with which the becoming less common. Along with codes of tabloid Asavali Dasavali, notorious for its dissemi- company was negotiating—”had already revoked the conduct enshrined in the Law on Broadcasting, nation of hate speech, xenophobia, and anti-Western coverage,” she said. GCJE has become an important instrument for rhetoric, as a routine transgressor of ethical and Instances of self-censorship arising from social encouraging ethical behavior. Dzvelishvili said a professional standards. She divides Georgian media or religious pressure are declining, panel members growing number of media outlets are becoming into two categories: “On one side there are those said, noting extensive coverage of the so-called more sensitive to professional standards. “We are who are reacting to criticism, and on the other are “cyanide case,” in which a Georgian Orthodox receiving calls from journalists, including those from those who don’t care” what media professionals say. archpriest was convicted of planning to poison a top mainstream media, asking us how to cover different Outlets well regarded for their ethical standards aide to the church’s patriarch.

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Major events are widely covered, but panelists able to convey complex ideas in a simple way,” she percent of the population; 19 percent rely mostly said that to get a spectrum of perspectives on added, but staff shortages and time pressures make on the Internet, and only 1 percent get most of their them, Georgians must read and watch news doing so “very hard work.” Koridze said business news from newspapers and magazines.7 Television across different platforms. How events are covered and economics shows on the major national channels Imedi, Maestro, GDS, and GPB are depends on who is reporting on them, said Nino channels are intended more to attract advertising distinctly pro-government. Rustavi 2 remains linked Danelia, a media professor from Ilia State University from companies than to inform the public on these with the opposition United National Movement, “If there were no Rustavi 2, a staunch government topics. For many years, much of the best investi- following the ECHR’s suspension of a Georgian court critic, it would have been very easy for mainstream gative content has been produced by Monitor, a ruling that would have turned the station over to an media not to broadcast or to camouflage some small studio that has drawn local and international owner affiliated with Georgian Dream. Obiektivi TV [events],” she said. attention. Kavkasia TV airs its work. and Iberia TV reflect the ultranationalist stance of Pay levels for journalists and other media the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia. professionals are sufficient relative to the cost of There are no laws restricting Georgians’ access living, most panel members said. Salaries average OBJECTIVE 3: to domestic or international media. However, access around $500 a month for full-time staff at online PLURALITY 2.53 _ to six terrestrial television stations—including Rustavi OF NEWS media outlets; in television, they can reach several 2 and Imedi TV, the most-watched channels— thousand dollars. Nina Ivanishvili said some young was threatened in 2017 by an ownership dispute. journalists favor freelancing for various local and Georgia has a multitude of news outlets that Those two channels--along with Maestro, GDS, international media and project-based work because provide diverse perspectives, ensuring a plurality Comedy Channel, and Marao--demanded payment it can add up to more pay than a full-time job. of news sources. However, the politicization from cable operators for distribution of their News and entertainment take up more or less and polarization of media that marked coverage programming, under threat of blocking retrans- equal shares of programming for private and public of the national elections in 2016 continued to mission by cable networks. Cable companies broadcasters, even though 2017 saw a number of harden in 2017, and panelists said GPB—the outlet resisted, arguing that “must carry,” a legal provision social and political talk shows go off the air. with the greatest legal and ethical duty to reflect requiring them to include national broadcasters in Almost all large television companies, whether the broader political spectrum—is systematically their channel packages, precludes those outlets from in Tbilisi or in the regions, have poor technical abdicating that duty. News agencies were also demanding payment. Cable firms said the fees the facilities and equipment for gathering, producing, seen as abandoning their traditional role. broadcasters sought would have increased cable and distributing news, panel members said. subscribers’ monthly fees by 2 GEL (about 80 US The exception is Imedi TV, which has relatively There was general agreement on the panel that cents). The matter came to a head on October 17 high-quality facilities. Mtivlishvili says Imedi can the quantity of diverse outlets gives Georgians when dozens of cable operators temporarily ceased distribute news so quickly that the only way his access to a variety of sources and viewpoints, but transmission of six channels. The dispute was settled news agency can keep up viewership in its home some members said this was plurality in form, not in December with no increase in subscriber fees, region of Kakheti is to report live on Facebook with in function. Reflecting the latter view, Kintsurashvili and GNCC said it would weigh amendments to the a smartphone. and Jangirashvili noted the ongoing politicization broadcasting law, including possible abolition of the Some outlets engage in investigations and of major national media. “Every party in Georgia other niche reporting, but the quality is middling has its own television station. This is an old story,” and they are little known to the general audience. Jangirashvili said. Most programs that focus on business, economics, According to the Caucasus Resource Research 7 “NDI: Public attitudes in Georgia, June 2017.” Caucasus and health are “boring and obscure,” Nina Ivanishvili Center (CRRC), television is the primary source of Research Resource Center, http://caucasusbarometer.org/ said. “Journalists must know the themes well to be information on politics and current events for 73 en/nj2017ge/INFSOU1/.

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must-carry principle.8 the fact that relatively few families own the set-top based on a report by state-run Russian news service Technological and infrastructure challenges boxes necessary for digital television reception. TASS, about a UN resolution initiated by also restricted some Georgians’ access to media. Panelists were harshly critical of GPB, noting the previous year condemning glorification of Nazi, As the country switches over to digital television, changes they said ran counter to the public neo-Nazi, and similar organizations. The measure was some remote regions lack necessary equipment. For broadcaster’s mission to offer diverse programming approved by a vote of 136‒2, with 48 abstentions; example, Nino Narimanishvili, the editor of regional spanning genres, political views, and minority the opposing countries were the United States and radio station Samkhretis Karibche, said construction concerns. GPB’s content reshuffle under a new Ukraine. Saqinform’s article was accompanied by a of a new multiplex to serve the largely Armenian- director included temporarily cancelling direct photo-illustration juxtaposing the US and Ukrainian speaking Samtskhe- region is hindered by broadcast of parliamentary hearings and committee sessions on its second channel, 2TV, (which was Nina Ivanishvili and Jangirashvili said that ultimately restored) and dropping four major with Imedi TV’s acquisition of GDS and 8 “Details about the meeting between the Georgian talk shows, leaving audiences with a deficit of National Communications Commission Members and Cable Maestro, it became apparent in 2017 that Operators,” Cable Televisions Union of Georgia, December critical social and political content in the run-up to 1, 2017, http://cable-tv.ge/news/details-about-the-meet- local-government elections in October. “It is because Georgia has “openly oligarchic” ownership in ing-between-the-georgian-national-communications-com- of 1TV that pluralism has declined this year. GPB its media. “Do the people know who owns the mission-members-and-cable-operators.html. broke all records,” Jangirashvili said. media they use? No, they do not,” Koridze said. Mtivlishvili said very little regional news is Multiple news sources provide citizens covered in prime time on GPB, and in 2017 the flags with a swastika and the caption, “USA and with reliable and objective news. broadcaster shifted programming aimed at serving Ukraine voted against glorification of Nazism in PLURALITY OF NEWS SOURCES INDICATORS minority communities in Akhalkalaki and Kvemo the UN.” The article did not note the reasons for ▶▶A plurality of affordable ▶▶Independent broadcast Kartli—home to predominantly Armenian- and the “no” votes: The United States believed the public and private media produce their Azerbaijani-speaking populations, respectively— resolution violated the principles of free expression news sources (e.g., own news programs. off the airwaves and on to GPB’s website. Panel and assembly and conflicted with the Universal print, broadcast, members said scarcity of Internet penetration in Declaration of Human Rights; Ukraine said it would Internet) exists. ▶▶Transparency of media ownership allows those areas limits viewership of the programs. not support such a resolution unless Stalinism and ▶▶Citizens’ access consumers to judge There are several dozen news agencies neo-Stalinism were condemned as well. to domestic or objectivity of news; international media media ownership is in Georgia, but panel members said they are Independent Georgian broadcasters produce is not restricted. not concentrated in a drifting away from objectivity and are increasingly their own news programs, although regional media few conglomerates. compromised by political or financial interests. do so mostly for local coverage and rely on outside ▶▶State or public media reflect the views of ▶▶A broad spectrum of InterpressNews (IPN) introduced a new business providers for national news. the entire political social interests are model for news agencies built on creating content Panelists questioned the reliability of what spectrum, are reflected and represented for subscribers, offering a range of paid services that outlets disclose about their ownership, despite a nonpartisan, and serve in the media, including the public interest. minority-language can include space for clients’ announcements on the provision of the Law on Broadcasting requiring information sources. IPN.ge website, writing and distributing news about broadcast media to make such information public. ▶▶Independent news clients to other media, and even covering events and Georgian law does not obligate print and online agencies gather and ▶▶Broadcast ratings, distribute news for print circulation figures, preparing press releases at the clients’ request. media to report on their ownership, further reducing and broadcast media. and Internet statistics Some news agencies’ content is rife with transparency. are reliable. disinformation and manipulation, Kintsurashvili said. Nina Ivanishvili and Jangirashvili said that On November 9, 2017, Saqinform published an article, with Imedi TV’s acquisition of GDS and Maestro, it

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became apparent in 2017 that Georgia has “openly Nori, Aliq Media, Samkhretis Karibche, and Jainews in a consolidation of major channels (although oligarchic” ownership in its media. “Do the people (Armenian); and Radio Way in Pankisi (Chechen). panelists noted that could have more to do with know who owns the media they use? No, they do Samkhretis Karibche, which serves the politics than with money), popular programs not,” Koridze said. region in southern Georgia, has begun collabo- switching stations, and a fee fight between Imedi TV is owned by the Georgia Media rating on news content with Radio Nori, which terrestrial broadcasters and cable operators. Production Group, 100 percent of the shares of which serves neighboring Javakheti. Narimanishvili said the Exactly how deep the problems run is hard are controlled by Inna Gudavadze, a citizen of Russia exchange has been positive for both communities: to determine: At the time of writing, GNCC, in and the widow of the company’s founder, Badri “Javakheti’s population receives our news more seeming violation of its legal duties, has yet Patarkatsishvili, who was Georgia’s wealthiest man at often now, and vice versa.” She noted, however, that to release 2017 revenue figures for some big the time of his death in 2008. A declaration available Georgian media programming for these regions broadcasters. on the company’s website lists seven members of remains sparse: “Their [satellite] dishes are turned in its board of trustees: four citizens of Russia, two another direction to get news about .” That lapse makes it difficult to assess the exact size Georgian citizens, and an American. Panelists said the “These communities are mostly living in another of the advertising market. Using data from ad sellers, trustees are mostly unknown to the Georgian public informational space. They only physically live in our TVMRGE, ABG Nielsen’s licensee for audience and have no track record in the media business. country,” Jinjikhadze said. Ivanishvili added, “This is measurement in Georgia, estimated 2017 television “We see that investments in 2016 into most of our problem, not theirs … our government has not ad revenue at about GEL 70 million ($27.8 million). the television companies came from their owners created good conditions for them. As soon as the If accurate, that would mean the market shrank by and the question arises: What are the implications government does this, they will turn to us.” approximately 25 percent from 2016, when GNCC’s for editorial policy?” Jangirashvili said. Georgian media do not systematically follow official data showed GEL 93 million ($37.4 million) in Since the merger was announced, Imedi international events, with little coverage of even the television revenue. TV and Maestro have united their newsrooms, country’s South Caucasus neighbors. Only online GNCC’s partial failure to publish revenue data which could have implications for media plurality. outlets Netgazeti and OC Media regularly offer made it difficult to assess the financial impact of Jangirashvili said the arrangement flouts regulations news about Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Netgazeti major industry changes, such as the merger of Imedi on concentration of a broadcaster’s property. featuring daily updates of the events from all three TV, Maestro, and GDS, announced in late 2016, and “The law prohibits a person, independently or in Caucasus countries. the defection of several popular shows from Rustavi cooperation with an interdependent person, from 2 to Imedi TV. “Nobody knows how these changes possessing more than one general over-the-air altered market shares,” Jangirashvili said. television channel and one over-the-air radio OBJECTIVE 4: Panel members said the media market, already channel per service area. GNCC contends that this BUSINESS 1.60 small, has been buffeted by Georgia’s economic MANAGEMENT is not a breach of the law,” she said. “This is a real slowdown of the past few years. It could be threat for GNCC to have the bravado to interpret the further shaken by an amendment to the Law on law in such a way owing to political influences.” Continued contraction of the television Broadcasting, sought by GPB and approved by the The media’s ability to serve a broad spectrum advertising market was the media-business parliament late in the year, which would allow the of social interests suffered a blow with GPB’s shift headline for 2017, which saw the score for national public broadcaster to compete with private of minority-language newscasts to the Web. Owing this metric inch downward from 1.62 to 1.60. outlets for advertisers. Media companies and NGOs to language barriers, minority communities get The financial terrain for broadcasters looks are urging President to veto much of their news and public-affairs coverage set to get rockier if legislation takes effect the measure. from donor-funded community outlets, including allowing GPB to enter the fray for dwindling ad “The market is already overloaded, unable to Radio Marneuli and Radio Ivrisi (Azerbaijani); Radio revenue. The economic challenges played out generate sufficient revenues for even the largest

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9 Independent media are well-managed (U$200,000) in 2017, according to an MDF report. of financial support. “Without grants, many if not all businesses, allowing editorial independence. During the same period, government advertising small media outlets will fail to survive,” Jinjikhadze with Imedi TV more than doubled to about GEL 2.5 said. Ivanishvili said donors should shift from BUSINESS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS million ($1 million). “helping small media in general” to assisting “outlets ▶▶Media outlets and ▶▶Independent media Amid the instability and declining revenue, that have distinguished themselves for continually supporting firms operate do not receive Rustavi 2 underwent a reorganization, reducing creating quality content and news.” as efficient, professional, government subsidies. and profit-generating staff and cutting salaries. It also lost a number of The emergence of a new, dominant player businesses. ▶▶Market research is high-rated shows and popular hosts to Imedi TV. in selling television advertising raised alarms of a used to formulate Rustavi 2 and Imedi TV were on the same side possible return to the monopolization that marked ▶▶Media receive revenue strategic plans, from a multitude enhance advertising of a fight, led by six national broadcasters, to wring the ad market in the recent past. Inter Media LLC of sources. revenue, and tailor payments from cable operators for retransmission launched in December 2016 and since January products to the ▶▶Advertising agencies and of their signals. Along with challenging “must 2017 has been selling all advertising time for the needs and interests carry, must offer” (the legally enshrined principle six largest television stations—Rustavi 2, Imedi TV, related industries support of audiences. an advertising market. requiring cable operators to carry the national Marao, Comedy Channel, GDS, and Maestro—and ▶▶Broadcast ratings channels, which in turn must provide their signals a portion of ad time on Pirveli and Kavkasia TV. ▶▶Advertising revenue as and circulation a percentage of total figures are reliably for free), the attempt showed that broadcasters are Panelists worried about diminished competition and revenue is in line with and independently trying to diversify their revenue sources, departing financial fallout for media outlets outside the majors. accepted standards at produced. commercial outlets. from a past practice of relying almost entirely on advertising. “It will affect the media market, as other “The market is already overloaded, unable television stations will follow in the six’s footsteps,” to generate sufficient revenues for even Jangirashvili said. “That may lead to turning players. The appearance of another big player in terrestrial channels into paid channels, eventually the largest players. The appearance of the form of GPB, which already receives substantial limiting the population’s access to media.” another big player in the form of GPB, funds from the [state] budget, will further deteriorate Panelists said diversifying revenue sources is which already receives substantial funds the media market and its sustainability,” Jangirashvili crucial to sustaining smaller television stations and from the [state] budget, will further said. GNCC supported GPB’s initiative to enter the online and print media. Zura Vardiashvili, editor of ad market, a position Jangirashvili said “breached its Liberali, said the magazine’s special project “Chveni deteriorate the media market and its role of objective arbitrator.” Tamashi” (Our Game) drew significant revenue. sustainability,” Jangirashvili said. Financial and legal problems continued to Supported by TBC Bank, the project launched in dog Rustavi 2. The court fight over ownership October 2017 and involved publication of a special “Inter Media can offer discounts to its clients on the of the most-watched television channel, detailed edition on Georgian rugby, in conjunction with a condition that they air ads on all the sales house’s above, remains unresolved, resulting in some of touch-rugby festival with open public participation. contractors’ channels,” Jangirashvili said, potentially the company’s bank accounts being frozen and a Panel members also emphasized the “leaving other channels without advertising.” portion of its property being under sequestration. importance of donor organizations and other types Most of the owners and executives of Inter The station has seen a steep drop in revenue Media held high-level positions at General Media, from government advertising—from GEL 2.1 million the politically connected ad-sales company that ($833,000) in 2015 to just over GEL 500,000 9 Pataridze, Mariam, Pre-Election Financial Media took over the market in 2011, when it was formed Environment, Media Development Foundation, https://www. scribd.com/document/362106174/Pre-Election-Financial- from the merger of what were then two major ad Media-Environment-2017#from_embed. brokers. General Media broke up with the change of

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government in 2013, but panel members expressed reliable, independent resources for online and print toward high-quality content creation, ready to concern that Inter Media could bring back its media readership. take novel approaches to content production and monopolistic practices. sharing. The majority of GARB members are small In summer 2017, the government announced media companies that apparently wanted to have new procedures for procuring broadcast and online OBJECTIVE 5: guaranteed sources of funding without substantial advertising time. Rather than various government SUPPORTING 2.51 effort.” She noted that the GARB studio, which INSTITUTIONS entities purchasing ad time individually, the creates content of national relevance for regional government as a whole would make two single broadcasters that do not have their own people in buys: a GEL 2 million contract (approximately The slight increase in this score from 2.46 to the capital, has mostly been retransmitting news $831,000) for advertising on major channels and GEL 2.51 reflects ongoing efforts by support organi- from government sources and television series from 1 million ($415,555) for smaller stations. The larger zations and donors to foster sustainable media Mosfilm, the largest and oldest studio in Russia. contract was awarded to pro-government Imedi TV. in Georgia, compensating for what the industry Within four months, AB membership had grown Rustavi 2, the only other possible competitor on the cannot accomplish on its own. A small and more to 17 broadcasters, including some community radio basis of ratings, challenged the decision in court, or less stable number of professional associ- stations. Kuprashvili says the new association has claiming the State Procurement Agency did not ations and civil society groups work to promote taken innovative approaches to content production; notify it of the bid deadline in time. the interests of individual journalists and media Less is known about how the government outlets, including the Media Advocacy Coalition, distributed its online ad buys, which amounted the Georgia Young Lawyers Association (GYLA), Supporting institutions function in the to more than GEL 1 million ($415,555) in 2016. TI Georgia, GCJE, the Media Club, the Media professional interests of independent media.

Jangirashvili said Internet publications are more Development Foundation, and the Georgian SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS INDICATORS: reliant than television on government spending. Regional Media Association, which primarily ▶▶Trade associations ▶▶Quality journalism “A significant part of the online media is financed represents the interests of regional print and represent the interests degree programs from the budget,” she said. “The fact that such online outlets. of private media that provide media operate does not mean that they operate as owners and provide substantial practical member services. experience exist. business entities.” One significant change in the media support The television market remained split between landscape in 2017 was the split in the Georgian ▶▶Professional ▶▶Printing facilities two television-audience measurers (TAMs): Association of Regional Broadcasters (GARB). In associations are in private work to protect hands, apolitical, TVMRGE, ABG Nielsen’s licensee, and Tri Media August, nine of its 21 members withdrew from the journalists’ rights. and unrestricted. Intelligence, a Kantar Media affiliate launched at the 12-year-old organization and formed the Alliance ▶▶Short-term training ▶▶Channels of media start of 2016. Problematically, the two TAMs provide of Broadcasters (AB), chaired by Natia Kuprashvili, and in-service distribution (kiosks, conflicting data, panel members said. This created the former executive director of GARB (and an MSI training programs transmitters, Internet) confusion and mistrust among advertisers, another panelist). allow journalists to are private, apolitical, factor driving the decline in ad spending. Kuprashvili said the interests of the nine upgrade skills or and unrestricted. acquire new skills. “While one measurer was reporting about our founding AB members had diverged dramatically ▶▶Information and ratings going up, another was reporting a decrease. from those of their GARB peers as donor funding ▶▶Sources of newsprint communication NGOs support technology­ infra- I, too, question the data of both companies,” for media outlets declined, and some participants free speech and structure sufficiently said Natia Kapanadze, director of Adjara TV. The saw a need to change working and fundraising independent media. meets the needs of panelists said the television market is unlikely to practices. “This was a values-based conflict,” she media and citizens. bear competing TAMs for long. There remains no said. “There were large broadcasters oriented

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for example, “they create common content and coverage of current events. IREX’s Georgian for prospective journalists, but panel members merge forces in attracting advertising money.” Media Partnership Program, funded by the Bureau say there is a need for more. Koridze singled out Most panel members said GCJE, an of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media independent union of journalists that aims to raise Department of State through the Public Affairs Management at GIPA for developing a vision of the professional and ethical standards and develop Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, supports kind of content it should provide to its students. mechanisms for media self-regulation, has grown professional development in Georgian media “The curriculum there is well planned, and every into a highly professional organization and an through partnerships with US media outlets. With professor knows what the students learn in different effective advocate for quality journalism. In 2017, funds raised from international donors, Internews classes. This way, students receive a very good it considered 56 complaints of alleged ethical implements the Strengthening Independent Media in outcome,” he said. violations brought by citizens, media, NGOs, and Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine project. This initiative There are fewer options at regional institutions. works to improve access to information and media Narimanishvili said the journalism program in Ia Mamaladze, editor of News in literacy among citizens of the target countries. Samtskhe-Javakheti State University has closed, and western Georgia, said the kind of support Another IREX program, Media for Transparent and Mtivlishvili said Telavi State University’s journalism Accountable Governance, known as M-TAG and program has only four students. They attribute the widely available for media in Tbilisi is not funded by USAID, aims to strengthen journalism disinterest to a low quality of teaching offered to always present in the regions. “Sometimes in Georgia and ensure sustainability of regional journalism students. we have difficulty finding respondents media outlets, improving the public’s access to From November 2016 through December 2017, independent, reliable, and balanced reporting. GIPA’s journalism school held a one-year training among the regional branches of the NGOs Ia Mamaladze, editor of Guria News in western program, entitled Multimedia Skills and Literacy for who can provide expertise on certain Georgia, said the kind of support widely available for Ethnic Communities, aimed at equipping budding topics,” she said. media in Tbilisi is not always present in the regions. young leaders from Armenian and Azerbaijani “Sometimes we have difficulty finding respondents communities in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Marneuli even the Ministry of Interior. among the regional branches of the NGOs who can with multimedia, business, and social-entrepre- The role and impact of the NGO sector has provide expertise on certain topics,” she said. neurship skills and greater understanding of the been gradually increasing, and 2017 was a very Although they actively voice support for media news and media environment. The project was fully active year in this regard. “The more the media freedom and independence, NGOs are not always funded and supported by the US Embassy in Tbilisi are suffering, the higher is the role of NGOs,” Nina there to lend a helping hand to individual journalists and was delivered in minority languages. The school Ivanishvili said. Panel members say the Media facing legal and other travails, some panelists hired its Azerbaijani and Armenian graduates as Advocacy Coalition, the Human Rights Education said. “It is, of course, very good when NGOs make trainers’ assistants. and Monitoring Center (EMC), and TI have been statements to defend you, but it is also crucial There are ample trainings offered to journalists, particularly vocal. Civil society was deeply engaged when someone studies your case and provides but Mtivlishvili and Tsetskhladze said they often in the outcry over Azerbaijani investigative journalist legal assistance,” Tsetskhladze said. “In the past, refuse to attend programs funded by state bodies Mukhtali’s abduction from Tbilisi and the Rustavi 2 the media center of the Georgian Young Lawyers and private businesses, which sometimes use ownership case. “If there had not been unanimity Association was doing this. We are journalists, not their resources to take journalists to luxury hotels and integrity among civil society and the media, the lawyers, and cannot do this on our own all the time.” and give them gifts, potentially undermining the disputed Georgia Supreme Court ruling on Rustavi 2 Kintsurashvili said it is up to donors to decide to independence of participants and, ultimately, the would have been enforced,” Jangirashvili said. whom they give money to ensure more thorough media products they create. Several donors fund efforts by Georgian legal support for journalists. Sources of newsprint and printing facilities media outlets to provide unbiased and diverse High-quality education programs are available are apolitical and in private hands, but Koridze said

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the scarcity of providers could restrict publications’ Natia Kuprashvili, director, Alliance of Broadcasters, access to these resources. For example, he noted Tbilisi that there are three companies in Tbilisi that can Ia Mamaladze, publisher, Guria News, Chokhatauri print Batumelebi in its current format: Favorite, owned by the newspaper Kviris Palitra; Cezanne, Maia Mikashavidze, director, multimedia project, the most expensive option; and a third belonging Internews Georgia, Tbilisi to Asavali Dasavali, where production quality is low. Gela Mtivlishvili, director, Kakheti Information Batumelebi favors Favorite but sometimes sees its Center, Gurjaani jobs delayed for a few days “because [the printer] thinks the client will wait, having no other choice,” Nino Narimanishvili, editor, Samkhretis Karibche, Koridze said. On the television side, panel members said the Tamar Kintsurashvili, Director, Media Development infrastructure of multiplexes and the functionality Foundation, Tbilisi of the multiplex networks in Georgian regions is unsatisfactory. Dzvelishvili said many people in the Nestan Tsetskhladze, editor, Netgazeti, Tbilisi regions complain that they do not receive terrestrial Zura Vardiashvili, editor, Liberali, Tbilisi broadcast channels. She said GNCC must monitor the situation and make recommendations to Moderator multiplex owners. Ekaterina Basilaia, Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi

Authors List of Panel Participants Ekaterina Basilaia, Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi Dimitry Availiani, editor, JAMnews Georgia, Tbilisi Nino Makhviladze, Georgian Institute of Public Nino Danelia, journalism professor, Ilia State Affairs, Tbilisi University; independent media expert, Tbilisi The panel discussion was convened on December 2, Nata Dzvelishvili, executive director, Georgian 2017. Charter of Journalism Ethics, Tbilisi Nina Ivanishvili, dean, Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management, Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, Tbilisi Nino Jangirashvili, director, Kavkasia TV, Tbilisi Hatia Jinjikhadze, media-support program manager, Open Society Georgia Foundation, Tbilisi Natia Kapanadze, director, Adjara TV, Zviad Koridze, Independent media expert, Tbilisi

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