“Moambe” News Program at Prime-Time the Pre-Election Monitoring Report

“MOAMBE” NEWS PROGRAM AT PRIME-TIME THE PRE-ELECTION MONITORING REPORT

1.09.20 - 10.10.20

ELECTIONS 2020 Monitoring of all the news and political programs of the First Channel and the Georgian Radio since September 1, aims at computing the time allotted to the political parties.

The monitoring has been implemented by means of a special software, with each TV show/story link specified. Monitors trained in the specifics of different platforms and shows have been monitoring and processing both the Prime Time and Off Prime information.

THE SUBJECTS OF THE MONITORING ARE:

PARTIES / BLOCS REGISTERED WITH THE CEC FOR THE 2020 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION OF GEORGIA

MAJORITARIAN CANDIDATES NOMINATED BY THE INITIATIVE GROUPS FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AND REGISTERED AT THE CEC

THE PARTIES REGISTERED WITH THE CEC FOR THE MIDTERM TBILISI CITY MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY AND THE EXTRAORDINARY MAYORAL ELECTIONS

PARTIES STANDING FOR THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE AUTONOMOUS REPUBLIC OF ADJARA

GOVERNMENT

PARLIAMENT

PRESIDENT

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

CEC

NGOS

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

2 ELECTIONS 2020 MONITORING METHODOLOGY

Quantitative data of election monitoring include the time allotted to the subject (speaker), and direct and indirect coverage according to the time allotted and the tone of coverage (positive, negative, neutral). The time allotted to the subject (speaker) is direct coverage. We are highlighting this data to focus on the percentage of time allocated to election subjects by Moambe. › IN CASE OF A DIRECT COVERAGE THE SUBJECT SPEAKS FOR HIMSELF/HERSELF › IN CASE OF THE INDIRECT COVERAGE, THE SUBJECT IS TALKED ABOUTN

The monitor separately marks all the objects mentioned by the subject, indicating the timing and the tone of coverage. In the monitoring, the time is not rounded. When determining the tone of coverage: › Statements are considered negative if the speaker uses harsh words with negative connotations › Statements are considered positive if the speaker uses words caring positive connotations › The description of the situation, establishment of facts, as well as information describ- ing events as such with the attitude of the speaker unrevealed and without the use of positive or negative connotation words is considered neutral.

Monthly pre-election monitoring reports (1-30 September through) regarding “Moam- be” and the Georgian Radio news program have been published.

Here is the a monthly report (1 September – 10 October through) for the Prime-Time “Moambe” news program (18:00) and “Moambe” (21:00). The report includes all the monitored subjects featured both in the election-related and unrelated topics, with the subjects standing for Parliament and otherwise specified.

ELECTIONS 2020 3 SUBJECTS OF THE MONITORING The report sets out the monitored subjects standing for Parliament. The report includes the total coverage of the majoritarian candidates nominated by the initiative groups, registered as of October 15, the total time allotted to the subjects participating in the City Municipal Assembly by-elections and extraordinary mayoral elections, and the total time allotted to the Supreme Council of Adjara election subjects. The parties / blocs are indicated by the names under which they participate in the elections. The data were taken from the official website of the CEC. In the reporting period, 443 election-related topics aired at the prime-time were covered. The allotted time: 17:11:55 (seventeen hours, eleven minutes and fifty-five sec.).

According to the monitoring data, the coverage reflected the activities of the election subjects. The total of 45 monitored subjects, 42 out of those the registered parties / blocs were covered. The time allotted in the “Moambe” news program to the election subjects (speakers) presented in the report totaled 7:58:01 (seven hours, fifty-eight minutes and one sec.). The bloc United National Movement - United Opposition “Strength is in Unity” (1:02:48) has the highest score, followed by Bakradze, Ugulava, Bokeria – “European Georgia - Movement for Liberty” (1:01:40) and “the Georgian Dream - Dem- ocratic Georgia” (1:01:04). These are the three entities with the most activities of the current election campaign, their activities are proportionally reflected in the Moambe, and accordingly can be seen in the monitoring results.

4 ELECTIONS 2020 (TABLE # 1 - ELECTION SUBJECTS (SPEAKERS) WITH INDICATION OF ALLOCATED TIME AND PER- CENTAGE DISTRIBUTION)

ELECTIONS 2020 5 6 ELECTIONS 2020 (FIGURE 1 - TIME ALLOTTED TO ELECTION SUBJECTS (SPEAKERS)) THE TIME ALLOTED TO THE ELLECTION SUBJECTS

ELECTIONS 2020 7 Time dedicated to the indirect coverage of election subjects was 5:59:44 (five hours, fifty-nine minutes and forty-four sec.). The monitoring showed that the subjects below received the largest indirect coverage.

› The indirect coverage of the overall Opposition (00:26:25) as against the individual subjects monitored not included in the general data.

› Also, indirect coverage of the ruling party (00:01:10) as against the individual subjects monitored not included in the general data.

8 ELECTIONS 2020 (TABLE # 2 - DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF ELECTION SUBJECTS WITH INDICATION OF THE ALLOTTED TIME)

Election subjects DIRECT INDIRECT

Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia 1:01:04 1:36:55 United National Movement - United Opposition “Strength is in Unity” 1:02:48 1:22:59 “Bakradze, Ugulava, Bokeria - European Georgia - Movement for Liberty” 1:01:40 0:32:15

Lelo - Mamuka Khazaradze 0:30:23 0:18:41 Giorgi Vashadze-Strategy Aghmashenebeli 0:24:50 0:14:16 Shalva Natelashvili - Georgian Labour Party 0:20:35 0:12:37 Davit Tarkhan-Mouravi, Irma Inashvili – “Alliance of Georgian Patriots” 0:13:59 0:10:18 Eka Beselia - Political Party “For Justice” 0:17:38 0:06:16 “Our Georgia - Solidarity Alliance of Georgia” 0:16:30 0:07:21 Free Georgia (Kakha Kukava, Giorgi Tsulaia) 0:12:59 0:08:51 Nino Burjanadze - United Georgia - Democratic Movement 0:14:35 0:05:26 Choice for Homeland 0:10:13 0:04:13 Tamaz Mechiauri for United Georgia 0:05:18 0:08:39 Zviad Dzidziguri - Conservative Party of Georgia 0:08:28 0:02:42 Reformer 0:05:48 0:05:11 Girchi 0:09:10 0:01:21 New Power 0:05:00 0:05:10 Future Georgia 0:07:48 0:02:20 Independent MP candidate 0:05:36 0:03:42 Aleko Elisashvili - Citizens 0:05:28 0:03:43 Irakli Okruashvili - Victorious Georgia 0:06:17 0:01:46 (Political Party) “Whites” 0:06:31 0:01:22 Jondo Baghaturia - Georgian Troupe 0:04:43 0:02:55 Bezhan Gunava- Georgian Choice 0:04:06 0:03:26 Progressive Georgia 0:05:47 0:01:00 Development Party of Georgia 0:05:14 0:00:52 Davit Chichinadze-Tribuna - CDM 0:04:13 0:01:46 People’s Party 0:05:00 0:00:55 Socialist Workers’ Party 0:05:00 0:00:50 Gachechiladze – ‘Greens Party’ 0:05:09 0:00:37 National Democratic Movement 0:05:00 0:00:28 Georgian Idea 0:05:00 0:00:17 Reformers 0:05:00 0:00:15 Georgian March - National Movement 0:02:39 0:02:18 Free Democrats 0:01:58 0:01:49 Local government elections 0:01:42 0:01:02 Gia Zhorzholiani “Social - Democrats for Development of Georgia” 0:01:12 0:01:15

ELECTIONS 2020 9 Elections of the Supreme Council of Adjara 0:00:44 0:00:51 Political Movement of Armed Veterans and Patriots of Georgia 0:00:46 0:00:39 Zviad’s Way (for God, Truth and Country) 0:00:00 0:01:13 Freedom – Zviad Gamsakhurdia’s Way 0:00:40 0:00:20 Georgian Roots 0:00:29 0:00:22 Sergo Javakhadze - Euro-Atlantic Vector 0:00:20 0:00:30 For Social Justice 0:00:32 0:00:00 Georgia 0:00:09 0:00:00

10 ELECTIONS 2020 (FIG. #2 - PERCENTAGE OF THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF THE ELECTION SUBJECTS. 100% IS THE TOTAL OF THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF EACH SUBJECT IN THE REPORT- ING PERIOD.)

DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE

DIRECT INDIRECT

ELECTIONS 2020 11 (FIG # 3 – THE TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF THE ELECTION SUBJECTS. 100% INDICATES THE TOTAL TIME OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF THE SUB- JECTS IN THE REPORTING PERIOD.)

DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE - TOTAL

12 ELECTIONS 2020 The election subjects during the election campaign are characterized by sharp po- larization towards each other. This was also reflected in the data received during the monitoring. According to the tone of the subjects’ coverage, the highest negative rate was observed towards the “Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia” (0:38:19). The most negative speeches against this party were from: “United National Movement”, “Bakradze, Ugulava, Bokeria - European Georgia - Movement for Liberty”,“Lelo - Mamu- ka Khazaradze” and “Shalva Natelashvili – Georgian Labor Party”. The United National Movement - United Opposition “Strength is in Unity” is in the second place with the second highest negative rate (0:24:56). The negative speeches against this bloc were from: “Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia”, “David Tarkhan-Mouravi – Irma Inashvili – Georgian Patriots’ Alliance” and “Our Georgia – Solidarity Alliance”.

Despite the context of strongly polarized election actors, the highest percentage of the broadcaster’s coverage tone is neutral.

ELECTIONS 2020 13 (TABLE # 3 - TONE OF COVERAGE OF ELECTION SUBJECTS. WITH AN INDICATION OF THE TIME AND PERCENTAGE ALLOTTED. 100% INDICATES THE TIME OF BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF EACH SUBJECT IN THE REPORTING PERIOD)

COVERAGECoverage TONE Tone NEGATIVENegative NEUTRAL POSITIVE

Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia 24.25% 0:38:19 53.81% 1:25:01 21.93% 0:34:39 United National Movement - United Opposition 17.10% 0:24:56 72.79% 1:46:07 10.11% 0:14:44 “Strength is in Unity”

“Bakradze, Ugulava, Bokeria - European 2.68% 0:02:31 75.67% 1:11:04 21.65% 0:20:20 Georgia - Movement for Liberty” Lelo - Mamuka Khazaradze 4.31% 0:02:07 68.85% 0:33:47 26.83% 0:13:10 Irakli Okruashvili - Victorious Georgia 8.90% 0:00:43 27.12% 0:02:11 63.98% 0:05:09 Davit Tarkhan-Mouravi, Irma Inashvili – “Alliance 2.88% 0:00:42 68.98% 0:16:45 28.14% 0:06:50 of Georgian Patriots” Eka Beselia - Political Party “For Justice” 1.39% 0:00:20 66.60% 0:15:55 32.01% 0:07:39 Sergo Javakhadze - Euro-Atlantic Vector 20.00% 0:00:10 80.00% 0:00:40 0.00% 0:00:00 Giorgi Vashadze-Strategy Aghmashenebeli 0.26% 0:00:06 78.13% 0:30:33 21.61% 0:08:27 Shalva Natelashvili - Georgian Labour Party 0.00% 0:00:00 82.33% 0:27:20 17.67% 0:05:52 “Our Georgia - Solidarity Alliance of Georgia” 0.00% 0:00:00 59.89% 0:14:17 40.11% 0:09:34 Free Georgia (Kakha Kukava, Giorgi Tsulaia) 0.00% 0:00:00 63.05% 0:13:46 36.95% 0:08:04 Nino Burjanadze - United Georgia - Democratic 0.00% 0:00:00 92.51% 0:18:31 7.49% 0:01:30 Movement Choice for Homeland 0.00% 0:00:00 83.14% 0:12:00 16.86% 0:02:26 Tamaz Mechiauri for United Georgia 0.00% 0:00:00 35.96% 0:05:01 64.04% 0:08:56 Zviad Dzidziguri - Conservative Party of Georgia 0.00% 0:00:00 79.55% 0:08:53 20.45% 0:02:17 Reformer 0.00% 0:00:00 18.97% 0:02:05 81.03% 0:08:54 Girchi 0.00% 0:00:00 66.72% 0:07:01 33.28% 0:03:30 New Power 0.00% 0:00:00 50.82% 0:05:10 49.18% 0:05:00 Future Georgia 0.00% 0:00:00 45.72% 0:04:38 54.28% 0:05:30 Independent MP candidate 0.00% 0:00:00 70.07% 0:06:31 29.93% 0:02:47 Aleko Elisashvili - Citizens 0.00% 0:00:00 68.97% 0:06:20 31.03% 0:02:51 (Political Party) “Whites” 0.00% 0:00:00 43.55% 0:03:26 56.45% 0:04:27 Jondo Baghaturia - Georgian Troupe 0.00% 0:00:00 77.29% 0:05:54 22.71% 0:01:44 Bezhan Gunava- Georgian Choice 0.00% 0:00:00 63.27% 0:04:46 36.73% 0:02:46 Progressive Georgia 0.00% 0:00:00 51.35% 0:03:29 48.65% 0:03:18 Development Party of Georgia 0.00% 0:00:00 27.87% 0:01:42 72.13% 0:04:24 Davit Chichinadze-Tribuna - CDM 0.00% 0:00:00 89.42% 0:05:21 10.58% 0:00:38 People’s Party 0.00% 0:00:00 32.39% 0:01:55 67.61% 0:04:00 Socialist Workers’ Party 0.00% 0:00:00 14.29% 0:00:50 85.71% 0:05:00 Gachechiladze – ‘Greens Party’ 0.00% 0:00:00 39.31% 0:02:16 60.69% 0:03:30 National Democratic Movement 0.00% 0:00:00 8.54% 0:00:28 91.46% 0:05:00 Georgian Idea 0.00% 0:00:00 30.60% 0:01:37 69.40% 0:03:40 Reformers 0.00% 0:00:00 100.00% 0:05:15 0.00% 0:00:00

14 ELECTIONS 2020 Georgian March - National Movement 0.00% 0:00:00 82.15% 0:04:04 17.85% 0:00:53 Free Democrats 0.00% 0:00:00 49.78% 0:01:53 50.22% 0:01:54 Local government elections 0.00% 0:00:00 92.68% 0:02:32 7.32% 0:00:12 Gia Zhorzholiani “Social - Democrats for 0.00% 0:00:00 51.02% 0:01:15 48.98% 0:01:12 Development of Georgia” Elections of the Supreme Council of Adjara 0.00% 0:00:00 69.47% 0:01:06 30.53% 0:00:29

Political Movement of Armed Veterans and 0.00% 0:00:00 45.88% 0:00:39 54.12% 0:00:46 Patriots of Georgia Zviad’s Way (for God, Truth and Country) 0.00% 0:00:00 45.21% 0:00:33 54.79% 0:00:40

Freedom – Zviad Gamsakhurdia’s Way 0.00% 0:00:00 100.00% 0:01:00 0.00% 0:00:00 Georgian Roots 0.00% 0:00:00 43.14% 0:00:22 56.86% 0:00:29 For Social Justice 0.00% 0:00:00 90.63% 0:00:29 9.38% 0:00:03 Georgia 0.00% 0:00:00 100.00% 0:00:09 0.00% 0:00:00

ELECTIONS 2020 15 (FIG # 4 – THE PERSENTAGE OF THE COVERAGE TONE OF THE ELECTION SUBJECTS. 100% INDI- CATES THE TIME OF BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF EACH SUBJECT IN THE REPORTING PERIOD).

THE COVERAGE TONE

16 ELECTIONS 2020 From 30 September, Moambe news program, (Moambe at 21:00) allotted 5 min. air time (each) to both the parties standing for Parliament and those not involved in the election campaign, so that they presented their programs and communicated the key messages. 21 political parties used the time, while 2 declined the opportunity.

TABLE 4 – ELLECTION SUBJECTS / SPEAKERS APPEARING IN MOAMBE

Moambe 21:00 - Ellection 2020“ # Name of the Party Speaker Time Used

1 Georgian Idea Levan Chachua, leader 00:05:00 2 Tamaz Mechiauri for United Tamaz Mechiauri, leader 00:05:00 Georgia 3 Lelo - Mamuka Khazaradze Lana Galdava, Parliamentary candidate 00:05:00 from Isani district 4 Future Georgia Giorgi Lagidze, leader 00:05:00 5 Greens Party Giorgi Gachechiladze, leader 00:05:00 6 For Justice Eka Beselia, leader 00:05:00 7 National-Democratic Movement Lasha Tskhadadze, executive secretary 00:05:00 8 Georgia Development Party Vakhtang Iashvili, a party leader 00:05:00 9 Reformers David Mirotadze, leader 00:05:00 10 Choice for Homeland Lela Guledani, leader 00:05:00 11 New Force Lazare Zakariadze, leader 00:05:00 12 Our Georgia – the Solidarity Beka Natsvlishvili, leader 00:05:00 Alliance 13 Irakli Okruashvili - Victorious Guram Chalagashvili, a party leader 00:05:00 Georgia 14 Our United Georgia Mamisa Japarashvili, a party leader 00:05:00 15 Girchi Vakhtang Megrelishvili, a party leader 00:05:00 16 Conservative Party of Georgia Zviad Dzidziguri, leader 00:05:00 17 Reformers Tornike Janashvili, leader 00:05:00 18 People’s Party Mamuka Giorgadze, leader 00:05:00 19 Progressive Georgia Irakli Murtsjhvaladze, leader 00:05:00 20 (Political Party) “Whites” Temur Shashiashvili, leader 00:05:00 21 Socialist Workers’ Party Tamaz Japoshvili, leader 00:05:00 22 Georgia’s Euroatlantic Way The party did not use the allotted air time 23 Euroatlantic Vector The party did not use the allotted air time

ELECTIONS 2020 17 THE MONITORED PARTIES NOT STANDING FOR PARLIAMENT In the pre-election period, apart from the parties standing for Parliament, the Govern- ment members, MPs, representatives of the Presidential Office, CEC, the international organizations and NGOs also communicate with the voters. The report sets out the direct and indirect coverage of the election-subjects at the prime-time. In the monitoring, the Government was represented by the PM, Ministers, Deputy Min- isters, Governors/Acting Governors.

TABLE 5 – THE MONITORED DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF THE SUBJECTS NOT STANDING FOR PARLIAMENT IN TERMS OF THE ALLOTED TIME.

18 ELECTIONS 2020 (FIG. 5 PERSENTAGE OF THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF THE SUBJECTS NOT STANDING FOR PARLIAMENT. 100% IS THE TOTAL OF THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COVERAGE OF EACH SUB- JECT IN THE REPORTING PERIOD.)

The report contains thematic survey of the Government coverage, with the percentage specified, where 100 % is computed from the total coverage in the reporting period. Moambe news program covered hot the issues such as: the COVID-19 situation and the new regulations (21.5%). In this regard, the Government issued statements at the Cab- inet and Coordination Council meetings. In the reporting period, apart from the pan- demic, the defense and national security issues received plenty of coverage (12.0%). Moambe at prime-time covered the defense minister’s meeting with the Command- er-in-Chief of the Allied Forces in Europe and, also, the failed negotiations in Geneva. Georgia – UN collaboration received quite a lot of coverage (6.3%). Moambe reported the Georgian PM’s address to the UN General Assembly, the UN Tourism forum in Tbilisi etc. Recently, demarcation of the Georgia-Azerbaijan border has been highlighted in the Government statements (1.9%) etc.

ELECTIONS 2020 19 FIG. 6 THE CATEGORIES IN WHICH THE MOST FREQUENTLY COVERED TOPICS ARE GROUPED

20 ELECTIONS 2020 ELECTIONS 2020 21 არჩევნები 2020