Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Online Media

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia

Post-election Monitoring of Print Media Key Findings 1 February - 31 March 2021

This report has been produced by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics with the assistance of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the EU and UNDP.

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 1 Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

Background Information

Within the framework of the UNDP project “Research on Media Coverage of 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia”, and with the generous financial support of the European Union, the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics monitored the coverage of current political processes taking place in the country from February 1st, 2021 until March 31st 2021, inclusive. As part of the monitoring, there were 12 online media outlets monitored: ambebi.ge, interpressnews.ge, kvira.ge, mpn.ge, netgazeti.ge, news.on.ge, publika.ge, radiotavisupleba.ge, reginfo.ge, sknews.ge, sputnik-georgia.com, tabula.ge.

Research Methodology

The monitoring of online media aimed to determine the extent of equality of terms and adherence to journalistic standards while covering the political parties during the post-election period.

The selected media outlets were monitored for both quantitative and qualitative components. The quantitative research focused on the frequency and tone of coverage of a particular subject in the selected media. The qualitative research focused on the extent to which the selected media outlet adhered to the standards of journalistic ethics, such as: accuracy of facts, diversity of sources, balanced coverage, incitement to discrimination on any grounds, dissemination of gender stereotypes, manipulation of any kind, etc.

The monitoring also focused on the coverage of issues and the terminology applied by the online media, which directly or indirectly reinforced gender stereotypes within the society.

The monitoring was targeted to the parties and politicians participating in the 2020 parliamentary elections. In particular, the monitored subjects were both the parties that obtained parliamentary seats as a result of the elections held on October 31st 2020, as well as those political unions that have been actively involved in the post-election processes.

The monitoring addressed not only the articles on political topics, but also all the materials where the monitored subjects were discussed. However, due to the political processes taking place during the post-election period, the monitoring laid a special emphasis on the following topics: parliamentary boycott, reform of the electoral system, reform of the election administration, financing of political parties, snap parliamentary elections, local government elections, rallies/ demonstrations, Nika Melia’s case, changes in the Government, political dialogue/negotiations.

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 2 Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

The report covers the results of the online media monitoring for the period from February 1st to March 31st.

Key Findings

 During the post-election period, the online media most intensively covered the issues related to the political negotiations mediated by the EU representatives, and the detention of Nika Melia;

 The vast majority of the websites selected for the monitoring mainly covered the and the United National Movement among the political parties. Each of these parties received more coverage than all the other parties combined;

 Polarization is less evident in the online media. Out of 12 websites selected for the monitoring, it was clearly observed that 2 of them always covered the authorities positively, and on the other hand, tried to discredit politicians from the opposition. Besides, none of the monitored online media outlets showed a particularly positive attitude towards any of the opposition parties;

 The journalists hardly ever referred to hate speech or used discriminatory terminology in their texts. However, the observation revealed two online media outlets that disseminated the statements inciting discrimination by politicians or other celebrities;

 Separation of sponsored and editorial materials remains a serious challenge for some online media outlets. In many cases, a reader may not be able to clearly see which of the published articles is sponsored and which one is a journalistic work prepared by the editorial staff;

 Observation of the post-election period suggested that, compared to the results of the pre- election media monitoring, the vast majority of selected websites had more balanced coverage of issues, especially during the EU-mediated political negotiations.

Gender Stereotypes in Online Media

During the monitoring period, special emphasis was laid on the observation of at what extent the online media outlets adhere to professional standards when covering the statements of politicians or other public figures containing the gender-based discrimination or gender stereotypes.

As the monitoring has revealed, the online media has a problem of neglecting the standards of reporting about gender-stereotypical or sexist statements, as far as some websites publish such

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 3 Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media statements without making any changes into them, without editorial comments or other appraisal, which encourages gender-based discrimination by the media

Examples:

 On March 16, online media outlets published materials about the statement that Tea Tsulukiani made at the Parliament, in which she addressed the opposition MP Aleko Elisashvili: “The God did not give a tongue to a human being, and especially to a man, for saying everything”. This was a statement encouraging the gender stereotype according to which a man should be speaking less than a woman. The online media disseminated it without adequate explanation or comment, facilitating the spread of gender stereotype. Neither did the media provide any comment when they disseminated Elisashvili’s sexist response to the statement: “If Tsulukiani had not been a woman, I would have responded to her differently”. However, for example, in compliance with journalistic standards, news.on.ge indicated in the headline that Elisashvili’s statement was sexist, and then explained in the background that Tsulukiani’s statement was also sexist, to which Elisashvili was responding;

 There were several materials published on kvira.ge during the monitoring period, in which the respondents discriminated against one of the opposition leaders on the ground of gender, for example: “Nikoloz Mchedlishvili: so far I have known that Melia (this surname means Media‘fox’ Monitoring in Georgian) for Parliamentary ate Electionschicken of 2020 in the hen-house, but now Melia is a chicken himself Online M ediaand he

th is shielding himself with women” (February 17 ), Zaal Anjaparidze – about Nika Melia: If he is so fearless as the fleshless and a hero, why did he hide in front of women, young people Media MonitoringCoverage for Parliamentary of Subjects Elections in Online of 2020 Media by Gender (%) Online Media and so many “heavy-weight”February politicians 1 - March 31,(February 2021 17th);

Coverage of Subjects in Online Media by Gender (%) February 1 - March 31, 2021

8 Female 25

8 Female Male 25

Male Unidentified

67 Unidentified

67 The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 4

● Ambebi.ge often publishes about the so-called yellow stories about private lives of politicians, which often promote gender stereotypes. For example, gender inequality and the stereotype of a man’s dominant role in the family are fueled in the statements made by ● Ambebi.ge often publishes about the so-called yellow stories about private lives of the wife of an MP Kakha Kuchava in the article published on February 24th (“I see Kakha politicians, which often promote gender stereotypes. For example, gender inequality and on TV more often than at home” – “Family life of the GD’s parliamentarian and his Russian the stereotype of a man’s dominant role in the family are fueled in the statements made by wife, who is promoting Georgia”), suggesting: “At the same time, a husband is a head of the wife of an MP Kakha Kuchava in the article published on February 24th (“I see Kakha the family and I listen to him on many issues. The husband lights a fire and the wife on TV more often than at home” – “Family life of the GD’s parliamentarian and his Russian supports it – this is about our life”. wife, who is promoting Georgia”), suggesting: “At the same time, a husband is a head of ● In anotherthe familyarticle andposted I listen on ambebi.ge to him on– “Nika many Melia’s issues. private The husband life - secret lights romance a fire and and thea wife womansupports who gave it – birth this isto abouta politician’s our life”. son” (February 25th) – a woman’s diminished role – just a reproductive function of a woman - is read right in the headline. ● In another article posted on ambebi.ge – “Nika Melia’s private life - secret romance and a woman who gave birth to a politician’s son” (February 25th) – a woman’s diminished role – just a reproductive function of a woman - is read right in the headline.

ANNEX I. Charts.

ANNEX I. Charts. Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

 Ambebi.ge often publishes about the so-called yellow stories about private lives of politicians, which often promote gender stereotypes. For example, gender inequality and the stereotype of a man’s dominant role in the family are fueled in the statements made by the wife of an MP Kakha Kuchava in the article published on February 24th (“I see Kakha on TV more often than at home” – “Family life of the GD’s parliamentarian and his Russian wife, who is promoting Georgia”), suggesting: “At the same time, a husband is a head of the family and I listen to him on many issues. The husband lights a fire and the wife supports it – this is about our life”.

 In another article posted on ambebi.ge – “Nika Melia’s private life - secret romance and a woman who gave birth to a politician’s son” (February 25th) – a woman’s diminished role – just a reproductive function of a woman - is read right in the headline.

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 5 Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media ANNEX I. Charts.

Media MonitoringMedia for Parliamentary Monitoring for Elections Parliamentary of 2020 Elections of 2020 Online M edia Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Ambebi.ge Ambebi.ge Ambebi.geAmbebi.ge

Coverage ofCoverageCoverage Subjects ofbyof SubjectsSubjectsTone (%) byby ToneTone (%)(%) ambebi.ge ambebi.geambebi.ge February 1 - MarchFebruary 31 12021 - March 31 2021 February 1 - March 31 2021 Positive PositiveNeutral NeutralNegative Negative Positive Neutral Negative Georgian DreamGeorgian14 Dream 14 59 59 27 27 Georgian Dream 14 59 27 UNM 11 UNM 1172 7217 17 UNM 11 72 17 26 Citizens65 9 26 65 9 Citizens 26 65 9 Bidzina IvanishviliBidzina9 Ivanishvili46 45 9 46 45 Bidzina Ivanishvili 9 46 45 European GeorgiaEuropean80 Georgia18 80 18 European Georgia 80 18 Mikheil SaakashviliMikheil8 Saakashvili62 30 8 62 30 Mikheil Saakashvili 8 62 30 Strategy AghmashenebeliStrategy Aghmashenebeli76 76 76 Lelo for GeorgiaLelo for56 Georgia 56 Lelo 56

Coverage ofCoverageCoverage Topis (%) ofof TopisTopis (%)(%) ambebi.ge ambebi.geambebi.ge February 1 - 31February March 12021 - 31 March 2021 February 1 - 31 March 2021

The Case of NikaThe MeliaCase of Nika Melia The Case of Nika Melia Political DialoguePolitical / Dialogue / 18 18 Political Dialogue / 18 Negotiations Negotiations Change of GovernmentChangeNegotiations of Government Change of Government Rallies and demonstrationsRallies and demonstrations 48 48 Rallies and demonstrations 48 14 14 Boycott14 of ParliamentBoycott of Parliament Boycott of Parliament Snap ParliamentarySnap Parliamentary Elections Elections 9 9 Snap Parliamentary Elections 9 Local GovernmentLocal GovernmentElections Elections 5 5 Local Government Elections 5 4 4 Reform of theReform Electoral of the Electoral 4 Reform of the Electoral AdministrationAdministration Administration

Interpressnews.geIInterpressnews.genterpressnews.ge The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 6

Georgian CharterGeorgianGeorgian of Journalistic CharterCharter ofof JournalisticJournalisticEthics EthicsEthics Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Interpressnews.ge Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media

Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) interpressnews.ge Coverage of Subjects interpressnews.geby Tone (%) February 1 - March 31, 2021 interpressnews.geFebruary 1 - March 31, 2021 February 1 - March 31, 2021 Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral Negative Georgian Dream 12 61 27 Georgian Dream 12 61 27 Georgian Dream 12 61 27 UNM 6 UNM74 6 20 74 20 UNM 6 74 20 European Georgia European3 89 Georgia8 3 89 8 European Georgia 3 89 8 Lelo for Georgia Lelo87 for Georgia 87 Lelo for Georgia 87 Citizens 85 Citizens 85 Citizens 85 Strategy AghmashenebeliStrategy Aghmashenebeli89 89 Strategy Aghmashenebeli 89 Bidzina IvanishviliBidzina80 Ivanishvili 80 Bidzina Ivanishvili 80 Mikheil SaakashviliMikheil56 Saakashvili 56 Mikheil Saakashvili 56

Coverage of TopisCoverage (%) of Topis (%) Coverageinterpressnews.ge of Topisinterpressnews.ge (%) Februaryinterpressnews.ge 1 - 31February March, 2021 1 - 31 March, 2021 February 1 - 31 March, 2021 Political DialoguePolitical / Negotiations Dialogue / Negotiations Political Dialogue / Negotiations The Case of NikaThe Melia Case of Nika Melia The Case of Nika Melia Rallies and demonstrationsRallies and demonstrations 21 21 Rallies and demonstrations 21 Boycott of ParliamentBoycott of Parliament Boycott of Parliament Change of GovernmentChange of Government Change of Government 41 41 Reform of the ElectoralReform Systemof the Electoral System 41 Reform of the Electoral System Snap Parliamentary Elections 14 14 Snap Parliamentary Elections Snap Parliamentary Elections 14 Reform of the ElectoralReform Administrationof the Electoral Administration Reform of the Electoral Administration Local GovernmentLocal Elections Government Elections 8 8 Local Government Elections 2 8 3 5 7 2 3 5 7 Funding of PoliticalFunding Parties of Political Parties 2 3 7 Funding of Political Parties 5 Other Other Other

Kvira.ge Kvira.ge Kvira.ge The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 7

Georgian CharterGeorgian of Journalistic Charter ofEthics Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media MonitoringMedia for Parliamentary Monitoring forElections Parliamentary of 2020 Elections of 2020 Kvira.ge Online M edia Online Media

Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) kvira.ge kvira.ge kvira.ge February 1 - March 31 , 2021 February 1 - MarchFebruary 31 1, 2021- March 31 , 2021

Positive Neutral Negative Positive PositiveNeutral NeutralNegative Negative Georgian Dream 21 70 9 Georgian DreamGeorgian21 Dream 21 70 70 9 9 UNM 7 52 41 UNM 7 52UNM 741 52 41 Mikheil Saakashvili 72 Mikheil SaakashviliMikheil Saakashvili72 72 European Georgia 72 25 European GeorgiaEuropean72 25Georgia 72 25 Citizens 80 Citizens 80 Citizens 80 Bidzina Ivanishvili Bidzina IvanishviliBidzina Ivanishvili Lelo for Georgia Lelo for GeorgiaLelo for Georgia Strategy Aghmashenebeli Strategy AghmashenebeliStrategy Aghmashenebeli

Coverage of Topis (%) Coverage of Topis (%) Coverage of Topis (%) kvira.ge kvira.ge kvira.ge February 1 - 31 March, 2021 February 1 -February31 March 1, 2021- 31 March, 2021 Political Dialogue / Negotiations Political Dialogue / Negotiations Political Dialogue / NegotiationsThe Case of Nika Melia The Case of Nika Melia The20 Case of Nika Melia Boycott of Parliament 20 Boycott of Parliament 20 Boycott of Parliament Change of Government Change of Government 43 Change of Government Rallies and demonstrations 43 Rallies and demonstrations 43 Rallies and demonstrationsReform of the Electoral System Reform of the Electoral System Reform of the Electoral SystemSnap Parliamentary Elections 18 Snap Parliamentary Elections 18 Snap Parliamentary ElectionsLocal Government Elections 18 Local Government Elections Local Government ElectionsReform of the Electoral Administration Reform of theReform Electoral of Administrationthe Electoral Administration 3 5 7 Funding of Political Parties 7 3 5 7 Funding of Political Parties 3 5 2 Funding of Political PartiesOther 2 2 Other Other

The Georgian Charter ofMPN Journalistic.ge Ethics 8 MPN.ge MPN.ge

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media MonitoringMedia Monitoringfor Parliamentary for Parliamentary Elections of Elections 2020MPN.ge of 2020 Online M edia Online Media

Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%)

Coverage of Subjectsmpn.ge by Tone (%) FebruaryCoveragempn.ge 1 -CoverageMarch of Subjects 31 of , 2021 Subjectsby Tone by(%) Tone (%) February 1 - March 31 mpn.ge, 2021 mpn.ge FebruaryFebruary 1 - March 1 31- March , 2021 31 , 2021 Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral Negative Georgian Dream 28 Positive Positive Neutral69 Neutral Negative3 Negative Georgian Dream 28 69 3 Georgian GeorgianDream Dream 28 28 69 69 3 3 UNM 24 75 UNM 24 75 UNM UNM24 2475 75 Mikheil Saakashvili 82 Mikheil Saakashvili 82 Mikheil SaakashviliMikheil Saakashvili82 82 European Georgia 69 European Georgia 69 EuropeanEuropean Georgia Georgia69 69 Girchi 84 Girchi 84 Girchi 84Girchi 84 Citizens 70 Citizens 70 Citizens Citizens70 Strategy Aghmashenebeli 70 Strategy Aghmashenebeli Strategy AghmashenebeliStrategy Aghmashenebeli Bidzina Ivanishvili Bidzina Ivanishvili Bidzina IvanishviliBidzina Ivanishvili

Coverage of Topis (%) Coverage of Topismpn.ge (%) CoverageCoverage of Topis of(%) Topis (%) Februarympn.ge 1 - 31 March, 2021 February 1 - 31 Marchmpn.ge, 2021 mpn.ge FebruaryFebruary 1 - 31 March 1 - 31, 2021March, 2021

Political Dialogue / Negotiations Political Dialogue / Negotiations 14 The CasePolitical of Nika DialoguePolitical Melia Dialogue/ Negotiations / Negotiations 14 The Case of Nika Melia 14 14 BoycottThe of CaseParliamentThe of Nika Case Melia of Nika Melia Boycott of Parliament 12 ChangeBoycott of Government ofBoycott Parliament of Parliament 12 Change of Government 12 12 RalliesChange and demonstrations ofChange Government of Government Rallies and demonstrations ReformRallies of the and ElectoralRallies demonstrations and System demonstrations 55 8 Reform of the Electoral System 55 8 Reform ofReform the Electoral of the ElectoralSystem System 55 55 8 8 Snap Parliamentary Elections Snap Parliamentary Elections 6 FundingSnap of ParliamentaryPoliticalSnap ParliamentaryParties Elections Elections 6 Funding of Political Parties 2 6 2 6 Local GovernmentFunding Fundingof Political Elections of PartiesPolitical Parties 2 2 Local Government Elections 2 2 2 2 OtherLocal GovernmentLocal Government Elections Elections Other

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Other Other Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 9 Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics GeorgianGeorgian Charter Charterof Journalistic of Journalistic Ethics Ethics

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media Monitoring for ParliamentaryMedia Elections Monitoring of 2020 for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online M edia Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media

Netgazeti.ge Netgazeti.ge Netgazeti.ge Netgazeti.geN etgazeti.ge Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage of Subjects byCoverage Tone (%) of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) netgazeti.ge netgazeti.ge netgazeti.ge netgazeti.ge February 1 - March 31 , 2021 February 1 - March 31 February, 2021 1 - March 31 , 2021 February 1 - March 31 , 2021

Positive Neutral Negative Positive NeutralPositive NegativeNeutral Negative Positive Neutral Negative Georgian Dream 5 63 32 Georgian Dream 5 Georgian Dream63 5 63 32 32 Georgian Dream 5 63 32 UNM 4 87 9 UNM 4 UNM 874 879 9 UNM 4 87 9 Bidzina Ivanishvili 68 Bidzina Ivanishvili 68Bidzina Ivanishvili 68 Bidzina Ivanishvili 68 European Georgia 96 European Georgia 96European Georgia 96 European Georgia 96 Citizens 81 14 Citizens 81 14 Citizens 81 14 Citizens 81 14 Lelo for Georgia 96 Lelo for Georgia 96 Lelo for Georgia 96 Lelo for Georgia 96 Girchi 89 Girchi 89 Girchi 89 Girchi 89 Mikheil Saakashvili 65 35 Mikheil Saakashvili 65 35Mikheil Saakashvili 65 35 Mikheil Saakashvili 65 35

Coverage of Topis (%) Coverage of Topis (%)Coverage of Topis (%) Coverage of Topis (%) netgazeti.ge netgazeti.ge netgazeti.ge netgazeti.ge February 1 - 31 March, 2021 February 1 - 31 MarchFebruary, 2021 1 - 31 March, 2021 February 1 - 31 March, 2021 The Case of Nika Melia The Case of Nika Melia The Case of Nika Melia The Case of Nika Melia Political Dialogue / Negotiations Political Dialogue / NegotiationsPolitical Dialogue / Negotiations Political Dialogue / NegotiationsRallies and demonstrations Rallies and demonstrationsRallies and demonstrations Rallies and26 demonstrations Change of Government 26 26 26 Change of Government Change of Government Change of Government Boycott of Parliament Boycott36 of Parliament Boycott of Parliament 36 36 Boycott of Parliament 36 Reform of the Electoral System Reform of the Electoral ReformSystem of the Electoral System Reform of the Electoral SystemReform of the Electoral Administration Reform of the Electoral ReformAdministration of the Electoral Administration Reform of the Electoral AdministrationLocal Government Elections Local Government ElectionsLocal Government Elections Local Government18 Elections Funding of Political Parties 18 18 18 Funding4 of Political PartiesFunding of Political Parties 4 4 5 Funding8 of Political Parties Snap Parliamentary Elections 5 8 4 5 8 Snap Parliamentary ElectionsSnap Parliamentary Elections 5 8 Snap Parliamentary Elections Other Other Other Other Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of JournalisticGeorgian Charter Ethics of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 10

Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Media Monitoring Elections for ofParliamentary 2020 Elections of 2020 Online M edia Online Media

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

N ews.on.ge News.on.ge News.on.ge

News.on.ge

Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage news.on.geof Subjects by Tone (%) news.on.ge February 1news.on.ge - March 31 , 2021 February 1 - MarchFebruary 31 , 2021 1 - March 31 , 2021

Positive Neutral Negative Positive NeutralPositive NegativeNeutral Negative Georgian Dream 9 66 25 Georgian Dream Georgian9 Dream 966 66 25 25 UNM 2 89 9 UNM 2 UNM 2 89 89 9 9 European Georgia 92 European Georgia European92 Georgia 92 Citizens 87 Citizens 87 Citizens 87 Girchi - More Freedom 96 Girchi - More FreedomGirchi -96 More Freedom 96 Lelo for Georgia 91 Lelo for Georgia 91Lelo for Georgia 91 Bidzina Ivanishvili 65 Bidzina Ivanishvili Bidzina65 Ivanishvili 65 Mikheil Saakashvili 53 Mikheil Saakashvili Mikheil53 Saakashvili 53

Coverage of Topis (%) Coverage of TopisCoverage (%) of Topis (%) news.on.ge news.on.ge news.on.ge February 1 - 31 March, 2021 February 1 - 31 MarchFebruary, 2021 1 - 31 March, 2021 The Case of Nika Melia The Case of Nika MeliaThe Case of Nika Melia Political Dialogue / Negotiations Political Dialogue / Negotiations 23 Political Dialogue / Negotiations 23 23 Rallies and demonstrations 42 Rallies and demonstrationsRallies and demonstrations 42 42 Change of Government Change of GovernmentChange of Government Boycott of Parliament Boycott of ParliamentBoycott of Parliament 17 17 17 Snap Parliamentary Elections Snap ParliamentarySnap Elections Parliamentary Elections 4 5 5 4 5 5 4 5 5 Reform of the Electoral System Reform of the ElectoralReform System of the Electoral System

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 11 Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media StudyMedia and Monitoring Research for on Parliamentary the Media Coverage Elections of of the 2020 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Online Media Media

Media MonitoringMedia Monitoringfor Parliamentary for Parliamentary Elections of Elections2020 of 2020 Online M edia Online Media

Publika.ge Publika.ge Publika.ge

Publika.gePublika.ge Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) publika.ge publika.ge Coverage ofFebruary Subjects 1 by – March Tone (%) 31, 2021 CoverageFebruary 1of – SubjectsMarch 31, by 2021Tone (%) publika.gepublika.ge February 1 – March 31, 2021 February 1 – March 31, 2021 Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral Negative Georgian Dream 10 59 31 Georgian Dream 10 Positive Positive59 Neutral Neutral Negative31 Negative UNM 7 79 14 Georgian GeorgianDreamUNM 7 Dream10 7910 59 14 59 31 31 European Georgia 4 88 8 European GeorgiaUNM4 788UNM8 7 79 79 14 14 Citizens 14 73 13 EuropeanCitizensEuropean Georgia14 Georgia4738813 8 4 88 8 Girchi 86 13 GirchiCitizens 8614Citizens1373 1314 73 13 Bidzina Ivanishvili 71 Bidzina IvanishviliGirchi 7186Girchi13 86 13 Strategy Aghmashenebeli 97 Strategy AghmashenebeliBidzina IvanishviliBidzina Ivanishvili9771 71 Lelo for Georgia 86 StrategyLelo AghmashenebeliStrategy for Georgia Aghmashenebeli8697 97

Lelo for Georgia 86 Lelo for Georgia 86Coverage of Topis (%) Coverage of Topis (%) publika.ge publika.ge CoverageFebruary of Topis 1 - 31(%) March , 2021 FebruaryCoverage 1 - 31 of March Topis, (%)2021 publika.gepublika.ge FebruaryFebruary 1 - 31 March 1 - 31, 2021March, 2021 Political Dialogue / Negotiations Political Dialogue / Negotiations 19 The Case of Nika Melia 19 The Case of Nika Melia Political DialoguePolitical Dialogue/ Negotiations / Negotiations Rallies and demonstrations 19 Rallies and demonstrations 19 The Case Theof Nika Case Melia of Nika Melia 42 Change of Government 42 Change of Government Rallies andRallies demonstrations and demonstrations Boycott of Parliament Boycott of Parliament 42 42 18 Change ofChange Government of Government 18 Reform of the Electoral System Reform of the Electoral System Boycott ofBoycott Parliament of Parliament 18 Snap Parliamentary Elections 18 Snap Parliamentary Elections 6 Reform ofReform the Electoral of the ElectoralSystem System 6 6 Local Government Elections 6 2 3 4 Local Government Elections 2 3 4 Snap ParliamentarySnap Parliamentary Elections Elections Other 6 6 Other 6 Local GovernmentLocal Government Elections Elections 2 3 4 263 4 Other Other Radiotavisupleba.ge Radiotavisupleba.ge

Radiotavisupleba.geRadiotavisupleba.ge The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 12 Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

GeorgianGeorgian Charter Charterof Journalistic of Journalistic Ethics Ethics

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media

Media Monitoring for ParliamentaryRadiotavisupleba.ge Elections of 2020 Online Media

Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) radiotavisupleba.geCoverage of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) FebruaryCoverage 1 – March of Subjectsradiotavisupleba.ge 31, 2021 by Tone (%) radiotavisupleba.geFebruary 1 – March 31, 2021 February 1 – March radiotavisupleba.ge31, 2021 February 1 – March 31, 2021 Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral Negative Georgian Dream 5 Positive70 Neutral 25 Negative Georgian Dream 5 70 25 Georgian Dream 5 70 25 GeorgianUNM Dream3 5 87 70 10 25 UNM 3 87 10 UNM 3 87 10 European Georgia UNM93 3 87 10 European Georgia 93 European Georgia 93 Lelo forEuropean Georgia Georgia94 93 Lelo for Georgia 94 Lelo for Georgia 94 Bidzina IvanishviliLelo for Georgia67 94 Bidzina Ivanishvili 67 Bidzina Ivanishvili 67 BidzinaCitizens Ivanishvili79 67 Citizens 79 Citizens 79 Mikheil SaakashviliCitizens58 32 79 Mikheil Saakashvili 58 32 Mikheil Saakashvili 58 32 Strategy AghmashenebeliMikheil Saakashvili96 58 32 Strategy Aghmashenebeli 96 Strategy Aghmashenebeli 96 Strategy Aghmashenebeli 96

Coverage of Topis (%) radiotavisupleba.geCoverage of Topis (%) Coverage of Topis (%) February 1 – Marchradiotavisupleba.ge 31, 2021 radiotavisupleba.geCoverage of Topis (%) February 1 – March 31, 2021 February 1 – Marchradiotavisupleba.ge 31, 2021 February 1 – March 31, 2021 The Case of Nika Melia The Case of Nika Melia The CasePolitical of Nika DialogueMelia / Negotiations 20 The CasePolitical of Nika Dialogue Melia / Negotiations 20 Political BoycottDialogue of / ParliamentNegotiations 38 20 PoliticalBoycott Dialogue of /Parliament Negotiations 20 38 Boycott ofRallies Parliament and demonstrations 38 BoycottRallies of Parliament and demonstrations 38 Rallies andChange demonstrations of Government Rallies andChange demonstrations of Government Change ofReform Government of the Electoral System 19 Change Reformof Government of the Electoral System Reform19 ofSnap the ParliamentaryElectoral System Elections 19 Reform Snapof the Parliamentary Electoral System Elections 19 Snap ParliamentaryFunding of PoliticalElections Parties Snap Parliamentary Elections 6 Funding of Political Parties 8 Funding Localof Political Government Parties Elections 6 6 8 FundingLocal of Political Government Parties Elections 6 8 6 6 6 Local GovernmentOther Elections 6 8 Local GovernmentOther Elections Other Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Other The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 13 Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media

Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

Reginfo.ge Reginfo.ge Reginfo.ge

Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) reginfo.ge Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) February 1 – March 31, 2021 reginfo.ge February 1 – March 31, 2021 Positive Neutral Negative

GeorgianPositive Dream 14 Neutral 64 Negative 22

Georgian Dream 14 UNM 4 64 82 22 14

UNM European4 Georgia 824 86 10 14

European Georgia 4 86 10Citizens 15 77 8

CitizensGirchi15 - More77 8 Freedom 99

Girchi - More FreedomStrategy Aghmashenebeli99 100

Strategy Aghmashenebeli 100 Girchi 99

Girchi 99Lelo for Georgia 92

Lelo for Georgia 92

Coverage of Topis (%) Coverage of Topis (%) reginfo.ge reginfo.geFebruary 1 – March 31, 2021 February 1 – March 31, 2021

The Case of Nika Melia The20 Case of Nika MeliaPolitical Dialogue / Negotiations 20 Political Dialogue / ChangeNegotiations of Government Change of GovernmentRallies and demonstrations 49 Rallies and10 demonstrationsBoycott of Parliament 49 10 Boycott of ParliamentSnap Parliamentary Elections Snap Parliamentary7 Reform Elections of the Electoral System 7 Reform of the Electoral Administration Reform5 of the Electoral System 2 2 3Reform of the ElectoralLocal Administration Government Elections 5 Other 2 2 3 Local Government Elections Other

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic EthicsGeorgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 14

Media MediaMonitoring Monitoring for Parliamentary for Parliamentary Elections Elections of 2020 of 2020 Online Online Media M edia Study and ResearchMedia on the Monitoring Media Coverage for Parliamentary of the 2020 Elections Parliamentary of 2020 Elections in Georgia Online Media Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media

Sknews.geSSknews.geknews.ge Sknews.ge Sknews.ge

CoverageCoverage of Subjects of Subjects by Tone by Tone (%) (%) Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%) Coverage of Subjectssknews.ge bysknews.ge Tone (%) sknews.ge Februarysknews.geFebruary 1 – March 1 – March 31, 2021 31, 2021 February 1 –FebruaryMarch 31, 1 –2021March 31, 2021 PositivePositive NeutralNeutral NegativeNegative Positive PositiveNeutral NeutralNegative Negative GeorgianGeorgian Dream Dream8 8 72 72 20 20 Georgian DreamGeorgian8 Dream 8 72 72 20 20 UNMUNM5 5 79 79 16 16 UNM 5 UNM79 5 1679 16 EuropeanEuropean Georgia Georgia100 100 European GeorgiaEuropean100 Georgia 100 Lelo forLelo Georgia for Georgia100 100 Lelo for GeorgiaLelo for100 Georgia 100 BidzinaBidzina Ivanishvili Ivanishvili67 67 Bidzina IvanishviliBidzina 67Ivanishvili 67 GirchiGirchi - More - More Freedom Freedom Girchi - More GirchiFreedom - More Freedom RepublicanRepublican Party Party Republican PartyRepublican Party StrategyStrategy Aghmashenebeli Aghmashenebeli Strategy AghmashenebeliStrategy Aghmashenebeli

CoverageCoverage of Topis of Topis (%) (%) Coverage of Topis (%) Coverage of Topissknews.ge sknews.ge(%) sknews.ge Februarysknews.geFebruary 1 – March 1 – March 31, 2021 31, 2021 February 1 –FebruaryMarch 31, 1 – 2021March 31, 2021

The CaseThe Caseof Nika of NikaMelia Melia The Case of NikaThe CaseMelia of Nika Melia 26 26 26 ChangeChange of Government of Government 26 Change of GovernmentChange of Government 39 39 RalliesRallies and demonstrations and demonstrations 39 39 Rallies and demonstrationsRallies and demonstrations PoliticalPolitical Dialogue Dialogue / Negotiations / Negotiations Political DialoguePolitical / Negotiations Dialogue / Negotiations 12 12 12 12 BoycottBoycott of Parliament of Parliament Boycott of ParliamentBoycott of Parliament 5 5 5 9 9 9 9 5 9 9 OtherOther 9 9 Other Other

SputnikSputnik-Georgia.com-Georgia.com Sputnik-GSeorgia.computnik-Georgia.com

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 15

GeorgianGeorgian Charter Charter of Journalistic of Journalistic Ethics Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media Sputnik-Georgia.com Media Monitoring for Parliamentary Elections of 2020 Online Media

Coverage of Subjects by Tone (%)

Coverage of Subjectssputnik by Tone- georgia.com(%) Coveragesputnik-georgia.com of Subjects by Tone (%) CoverageFebruary of Subjects1 – March by Tone31, 2021 (%) February 1sputnik – March-georgia.com 31, 2021 sputnik-georgia.com February 1 – March 31,Positive 2021 Neutral Negative FebruaryPositive 1 – MarchNeutral 31, 2021 Negative Georgian Dream Positive Neutral Negative Georgian Dream 11 11 78Positive Neutral7811 Negative11 Georgian Dream 11 78 11 UNMGeorgian2 DreamUNM 211 92 7892 6 11 6 UNM 2 92 6 European GeorgiaEuropean91 Georgia7UNM 2 91 7 92 6 European Georgia 91 7 CitizensEuropean14 82Citizens Georgia4 149182 74 Girchi - More FreedomCitizens100 14 82 4 Girchi - More FreedomCitizens 14 10082 4 GirchiLelo for - More GeorgiaGirchi Freedom - More98 Freedom100 100 Lelo for Georgia 98 Bidzina LeloIvanishvili for GeorgiaLelo for Georgia98 98 Bidzina Ivanishvili AllianceBidzina of Patriots IvanishviliBidzina Ivanishvili Alliance of Patriots Alliance ofAlliance Patriots of Patriots

Coverage of Topis (%) sputnik-georgia.com CoverageCoverageCoverage of Topis of (%) TopisTopis (%) (%) February 1 – March 31, 2021 sputniksputnik-sputnikgeorgia.com--georgia.com February 1 – March 31, 2021 FebruaryFebruary 1 – March 1 – March31, 2021 31, 2021 The Case of Nika Melia 20 Rallies and demonstrationsThe Case of Nika Melia The Case Theof Nika Case Melia of Nika Melia 20 Political Dialogue / Negotiations 29 Rallies and demonstrations 20 20 Rallies andRallies demonstrations and demonstrations Change of GovernmentPolitical Dialogue / Negotiations 29 Political DialoguePolitical /Dialogue Negotiations / Negotiations 29 29 Boycott of ParliamentChange of Government 17 Change of Government Reform of the ElectoralBoycottChange of System Parliament of Government 6 17 Boycott of Parliament Snap ParliamentaryReformBoycott Elections of the of Electoral Parliament System 17 10 6 17 Reform of the Electoral System 14 Local GovernmentSnapReform Elections Parliamentary of the Electoral Elections System 6 10 Snap Parliamentary Elections 6 14 Other Local Government Elections 10 Snap Parliamentary Elections 1014 Local GovernmentOther Elections 14 Local Government Elections Other Other Tabula.ge Tabula.ge

Tabula.ge Tabula.ge The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 16

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

Media MonitoringMedia for Monitoring Parliamentary Mediafor Parliamentary Elections Monitoring of 2020 Elections for Parliamentary of 2020 Elections of 2020 Online M edia Online M edia Online Media Tabula.ge

Coverage Coverageof Subjects of by SubjectsCoverage Tone (%) by of Tone Subjects (%) by Tone (%) tabula.ge tabula.ge tabula.ge February 1February – March 1 31, – March February2021 31, 1 2021 – March 31, 2021

Positive PositiveNeutralPositiveNeutralNegativeNeutralNegative Negative

Georgian DreamGeorgian 7DreamGeorgian7 Dream60 7 60 3360 33 33

UNM 6 UNM 6 UNM84 6 84 10 84 10 10

European GeorgiaEuropean4 GeorgiaEuropean92 4 Georgia4 92 44 92 4

Bidzina IvanishviliBidzina Ivanishvili72 Bidzina 72Ivanishvili 72

Girchi 95Girchi 95 Girchi 95

Lelo for GeorgiaLelo for Georgia90 Lelo 90for Georgia 90

Mikheil SaakashviliMikheil Saakashvili54 39Mikheil54 Saakashvili39 54 39

Elene KhoshtariaElene Khoshtaria97 Elene97 Khoshtaria 97

Coverage Coverageof Topis (%) of Topis Coverage (%) of Topis (%) tabula.ge tabula.ge tabula.ge February February1 – March 1 31, – FebruaryMarch 2021 31, 1 2021 – March 31, 2021

The Case ofThe Nika Case Melia of NikaThe Melia Case of Nika Melia Political DialoguePolitical / DialogueNegotiationsPolitical / Negotiations Dialogue / Negotiations Rallies andRallies demonstrations and demonstrationsRallies and demonstrations 30 30 30 Change of ChangeGovernment of GovernmentChange of Government 34 34 34 Boycott of BoycottParliament of ParliamentBoycott of Parliament Snap ParliamentarySnap Parliamentary ElectionsSnap ParliamentaryElections Elections Reform of Reformthe Electoral of the System ElectoralReform of System the Electoral System Reform of Reformthe Electoral of the Administration ElectoralReform of Administration the Electoral Administration Local Government Elections 4 4 20 4 20 Local20 GovernmentLocal Government Elections Elections 4 4 6 4 6 6 Funding ofFunding Political of Parties PoliticalFunding Parties of Political Parties Other Other Other

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 17

GeorgianGeorgian Charter of Charter JournalisticGeorgian of Journalistic Charter Ethics of Ethics Journalistic Ethics

Study and Research on the Media Coverage of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia Online Media

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics 18