Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition member organizations call on the Government of Georgia to suspend the deadline for paying taxes, defined for the media, at least until July 2020 without any penalties or additional charges. “According to current data, due to the financial crisis caused by the pandemic, several national and regional means of media (TV, radio or online publications) experience imposition of collection on their accounts. While a number of them face the similar risk. Taking into account the current situation, we once again call on the Government of Georgia to take temporary measures and set certain concessions for the media immediately”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more…

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) calls on the Minister of Labor to not satisfy unsubstantiated demand of Director of Adjara Public Broadcaster in regard to termination of mediation. “We consider that the demand of Director of the broadcaster in regard to termination of mediation is groundless and represents an attempt to bypass the labor law”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to developments occurred at Adjara Public Broadcaster over the last days. “It is obvious that chain of decisions, taken by the new management over the last two months, contains clear signs of persecution of critical journalists and staff, interference with editorial independence of the broadcaster, as well as obtaining control, and requires immediate response from the Adjara Supreme Council and the Parliament. Decisions taken by the new management show not only gross violation of labor rights of particular journalists and staff of the broadcaster, but also clear and obvious signs of encroachment on their freedom of expression and independence of the broadcaster”, - is noted in the statement of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Part of Georgian civil society organizations call on the state and the media to consider minority languages in information policy. “We, the signatory organizations call on the Government of Georgia, Public Broadcaster, private TV stations to facilitate dissemination of information, related to the COVID-19 virus and its prevention, on Armenian and Azerbaijani languages, as well as to take positive measures to prevent hate speech and spreading of information, approaches of discriminatory content”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics calls on journalists to exercise caution when preparing material related to ethnic minorities. “The Charter calls on journalists to adhere to the imposed restriction and obey the prohibition of movement on a particular territory, as it threatens both the rule-breaker and those around him. Besides, the Charter urges those journalists, who have permission to work on the ground, to take maximum security measures. While it calls on media managers to adhere to and ensure safety rules for their colleagues in the workplace as much as possible”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: www.qartia.ge

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations collectively address international organizations in regard to alarming processes taking place at Adjara Broadcaster. “The dynamics and context of developments occurred at the broadcaster since spring 2019, including unsubstantiated impeachment of Natia Kapanadze, challenging rule and procedure for electing Giorgi Kokhreidze, while prior to these facts, critical statements made by Bidzina Ivanishvili, Chairman of the ruling political party, at Adjara Public Broadcaster show that the Government attempts to gain control over the broadcaster thus aiming at weakening its criticism and independence”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Civil society organizations launch a “Public to save the broadcaster” campaign thus supporting journalists of Adjara Public Broadcaster. “We protest against processes that take place at Adjara TV and Radio of Public Broadcaster, which, without the support of the public, civil sector and international organizations, may end with Adjara Public Broadcaster losing its editorial independence. Within the frames of the campaign there was scheduled an action on Friday, March 13, at 7 pm at the premises of the broadcaster, however, taking into account the situation that is currently in the country in terms of the risk of spreading COVID-19 and referring on our high public responsibility, it has been decided to conduct a solidarity action online, through the internet, on Friday, March 13 at 7 pm”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source:The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Georgian National Platform releases a statement in regard to developments that take place at Adjara TV and Radio of Public Broadcaster. “It is outrageous that the new management of the channel completely ignores not only statements of such authoritative organizations as Reporters without Borders, but also calls of the Public Defender as well as protests of local civil society organizations and its own employees. Those who participated in creation of journalistic products at Public Broadcaster are gradually distanced from editorial activities of the channel, which fact has been considered by a number of international and local authoritative organizations as impartial and objective”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition applies to the Public Defender requesting to prepare a special report related to Adjara Broadcaster. “We, Media Advocacy Coalition member organizations are concerned about developments that take place at LEPL “Adjara TV and Radio of Public Broadcaster”. We consider that the danger of attempt to change the editorial policy of an objective and independent channel is obvious, while the occurred situation is alarming”, - is stated in the appeal, - “We request you to continue paying a special attention to maintaining the standard of Public Broadcaster and prepare a special report related to LEPL “Adjara TV and Radio of Public Broadcaster”. Read more… Source: https://www.qartia.ge

Tbilisi. The Charter of Journalistic Ethics considers that processes, taking place at Adjara TV, are extremely worrying, while staff related decisions, taken by the management, are aimed at changing the editorial policy of the channel. “We consider that these processes should not be left out of the attention of international organizations. The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics calls on them to become interested in developments that take place at Adjara TV and Radio of Public Broadcaster. The Charter urges also the management of Adjara TV to clarify necessity of implemented changes and justify decisions made”, - is noted in the statement released by the Charter. Read more… Source: https://www.qartia.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) considers that editorial independence of the broadcaster confronts alarming risks and requires immediate actions to be taken. “EMC considers that dismissing those responsible for editorial independence, unlawfully transferring them from important positions at the news office and oppressing them to quit their job is a blatant intervention of the management into the editorial policy of the broadcaster and affects independence of the broadcaster. Current situation requires extraordinary and immediate actions to be taken”, - is noted in the statement released by EMC, - “In our point of view it is essential to urge the Parliament and the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara to use effective parliamentary control mechanisms immediately in order to protect independence of the editorial policy of Adjara Broadcaster and labor rights of journalists working there as well as to strengthen institutional guarantees of editorial and organizational independence of the broadcaster”. Read more… Source :https://emc.org

Tbilisi. GYLA considers that the editorial policy of Adjara TV is in danger of change. “On February 19, 2020, the Board of Trustees of Adjara Public Broadcaster endorsed a staff list submitted by Director, which abolished positions of Deputy Heads of Services”, - is noted in the statement released by the organization, - “Developments at Adjara Public Broadcaster, including the change in the staff list, reinforce doubts that there is an attempt to remove particular people from those making information policy, hire new staff and change the editorial policy of the channel”. Read more… Source: https://gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition appraises processes developed at Adjara Public Broadcaster.  “We, “Media Advocacy Coalition” member organizations consider that processes, taking place at Adjara Broadcaster, are still alarming and harmful to the idea of public broadcasting. Recent developments have once again reaffirmed that an artificial crisis, occurred at Adjara Broadcaster, is of a political nature and should not remain beyond the attention of local or international community”, - is noted in the statement released by the Coalition.  Read more… Source: https://www.qartia.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia is concerned about the developments in the Public Broadcaster’s Adjara TV and Radio. According to the Public Defender, the existing circumstances raise doubts about an attempt to change the editorial policy of the critical media outlet. This is particularly worrying given the large number of criminal cases directly or indirectly related to the owners of independent TV companies. Read more…  Source: http://ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. It counts already the second year that the first CSR related media competition, established by the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), runs successfully. “Winners of the media competition “Journalists for Corporate Social Responsibility 2019” have been revealed.  Best TV Report - Manana Gigineishvili – First Channel Best Radio Coverage - Nino Khugashvili - Radio Imedi  Best Online/Printed Article - Katie Ruth Davies - Georgia Today  Best Multimedia, Video Material - Nino Vartapetyan – TV Borjomi  Best Blog - Marika Mchedlidze - Forbes Georgia  The competition is carried out within the framework of the project “Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” with the support of the European Union and Konrad Adenauer Foundation”, - is stated on the website of the organization in a social network.  Read more…   Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition once again addresses international organizations in regard to processes that take place at Adjara Public Broadcaster. “We consider that developments at Adjara TV and Radio of Public Broadcaster are alarming. There is a real danger that the newly elected Board of Trustees and the management, appointed by it, will change a staff roster and separate part of employees from editorial policy. To our opinion, current situation is alarming and entails risks of violation of both media freedom and human rights. We, member organizations of the Coalition, will further engage in and protect the idea of public broadcasting within the frames of our competence, meanwhile, we urge our partner international organizations to support us in retaining guarantees for freedom of expression”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more…  Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. As Transparency International Georgia informs, editorial independence of Adjara TV is in jeopardy. “Statements made by the director of Adjara TV in the last period of time, planned staff changes or disciplinary actions initiated against employees represent oppression and harassment committed by the management against critically minded journalists. Developments, taking place at the television, verify our concern that the real purpose of all these processes is to let the government attain full control over the editorial policy of the television. Transparency International Georgia once again expresses its solidarity with Adjara TV employees, who are fighting for fulfilment of their professional duties. We are prepared, if necessary, to protect their rights and provide legal assistance”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition considers processes developed around “TV Pirveli” to be alarming. “Processes developed around “TV Pirveli” are one of the alarming signals as there is also a critical situation when it applies to the freedom of activity of other independent media managers and founders. Independent media is one of the important and reliable tools for development of democracy in any country. We once again call on the authorities to carry out a fast and objective investigation in order to halt risks created to freedom of media”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. “Media Advocacy Coalition” releases a statement in regard to the attack on Nika Gvaramia. “Nika Gvaramia has been injured as a result of the incident, however we do not know yet whether any of the eyewitnesses was interrogated and other necessary investigative actions were taken or not. With this in mind, the Coalition calls on law enforcement agencies to carry out a timely, comprehensive, effective and impartial investigation into this particular incident. The Coalition also considers it important to identify perpetrators and impose responsibility in a timely manner in order to prevent similar incidents in the future”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. According to a statement of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics detected violation of the principle of inviolability of private life in an entertainment program. “On January 25, the Charter of Journalistic Ethics detected violation of principles of discrimination and inviolability of private life in “Gviani Show”, a program of the broadcasting company “Rustavi 2”. This case is precedential as the Charter discussed the use of a hidden camera in an entertainment program and violation of the 10th (inviolability of private life) principle for the first time. Interests of the applicant were defended by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. At a formal award ceremony in Tbilisi, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia awarded the winners of the EU Prize for Journalism 2019 in six categories covering print, broadcast, online, and photo journalism.  The winners of the EU Prize for Journalism 2019 are: Nino Tarkhnishvili: Best story in print or online media Beso Gvenetadze: Best feature story in broadcast or online media Giorgi Mgeladze: Best investigative story /feature in print, online, or broadcast media Jimsher Rekhviashvili: Best online or print blog, opinion or column in print or online media Lasha Tsertsvadze: The most innovative and original piece of work in print, online or broadcast media Dato Koridze: Best documentary photo reflecting EU values Mamuka Kuparadze: EUMM Special Prize for Peace Journalism Read more… Source: eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. The Civil Society Institute has identified winners in a competition “Journalists for Social Changes”. The competition is part of the campaign “ThisCountryIsYours” and aims at identifying journalists throughout Georgia who have regularly and competently covered challenges and development opportunities that civil society faces. Organizations, operating in regions of Georgia, had a possibility to select the best journalist who works in their region, as well as to nominate one representative of central media. On January 17, the Civil Society Institute announced the winners: Guria - Tamta Dolidze - TV Company “Guria”;  Adjara - Irakli Kurua – TV program Hashtag, Adjara TV;  Imereti - Tamuna Kavtaradze, Mega TV; Kakheti - Mariam Megrelishvili - TV “Tanamgzavri”;  Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti - Nana Khubutia - live press;  Samtskhe - Javakheti - Rusudan Gvaramadze - TV9;  Kvemo Kartli - Ekaterine Eradze - Marneuli TV; Shida Kartli - Nino Chibchiuri - TV Company “Trialeti”;  Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti - Marine Svanidze - kvira.ge;  Central - Mikheil Sesiashvili - Mtavari Arkhi;  CSI special prize - Netgazeti.  The civil campaign “ThisCountryIsYours” is carried out within the framework of “Civil Society Development Initiative”, implemented by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) in cooperation with the Civil Society Institute (CSI), Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) and Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC). The project is financed by both the European Union and Konrad Adenauer Foundation.