Tbilisi. On October 14, Georgian national and regional TV broadcasters joined a special agreement among broadcasters. The objective of the memorandum is to activate existing self regulatory mechanisms related to children issues. In full… Source:The web-page of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. On 5-6 October 2015 the Public Defender's Office held trainings for journalists and representatives of local self-governmental bodies in the city of Zugdidi by the support from the ''Strengthening the Public Defender's Office in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region'' project funded by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria. ''The issues of gender equality, sexism, stereotypical attitudes and gender discrimination were discussed during the training. Discussions were held about the principles and sensitivity of covering the cases of violence against women'', noted in the statement. In full... Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Non-Governmental Organizations respond to the arrest of the supporters of Rustavi 2 and to their pre-trial detention for two months. "We call on the government of Georgia and the law enforcement authorities to respect the freedom of gatherings and manifestations, recognized by the Constitution of Georgia, on one side, while on the other side to ensure proper and consistent response on violations, identical to each other, and base this on the fundamental principle of equality before the law” – is noted in the joint statement. In full… Source:gdi.ge

Tbilisi. The Head of the Media and Telecommunications Direction of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) gave the speech at the OSCE 12th South Caucasus conference. The speech touched upon a theme: ''Transition of Georgia to digital broadcasting and its influence on a pluralism of the media''. ''Ucha Seturi summarized the process of transition of Georgia to digital broadcasting and provided information about all stages to the participants of the conference'' – is noted in the statement of the organization. In full... Source:idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media will bring together international experts and journalists, government officials and academics for the 12th OSCE South Caucasus Media Conference in Tbilisi, Georgia. ''The participants will discuss the challenges and opportunities for free media in a digital environment, including the role of regulatory auhorities and media pluralism. The participants will also discuss the latest media freedom developments in the South Caucasus'', noted in the statement. In full... Source: www.media.ge

Tbilisi. At the meeting with the representatives of media the Speaker of the Parliament has stated that the new format for relations with media – meetings at the media center - is about to be established. ''According to the statement of David Usupashvili, main theme for discussions at the Open Government Partnership's Legislative Openness Working Group Conference, recently held at the Parliament of Georgia, was the openness of the Parliament and legislative processes. … ''More and the most innovative approaches are needed, in order the activities of the Parliament to be adequately delivered to the public and vice versa, the mood of public - to the Parliament. Therefore, I would like to offer you this format'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source:www.media.ge

Adjara. On September 27, the discussion on ''Concerns and challenges of Georgian media'' took place at Batumi University of Art. The speaker of the discussion, journalist Zviad Koridze, talked about the problems and challenges of Georgian media. Besides, in his speech Zviad Koridze overviewed what had been changed in the media since 2012 parliamentary elections. In full… Source:The web-page of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. The Coalition for Media Advocacy sent an address to the Director General and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Public Broadcaster demanding "to explain publicly and in writing the reason for dismissing Eka Mishveladze from political program" – is stated in the information released on the web-page of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information. In full… Source:idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Public organizations, involved in "This Affects You” Campaign, release joint statement and call on the law enforcement authorities to start an investigation based on the declaration of the journalist Eka Mishveladze. "Launch immediate investigation, based on the public declaration of the journalist, and disclose perpetrators in case there have been found the facts of illegal surveillance and listening. In the opposite circumstance the government will be held politically responsible for surveillance of citizens due to their journalistic or opposition political activities in country and for putting pressure on them” – is noted in the statement. In full… Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. On September 5 the Charter of Journalistic Ethics reviewed the claim of the Media Development Foundation (MDF), the Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) and the Tolerance and Diversity Institute. The claim was in regard to one of the articles published on gurianews.com. The Council has upheld the claim of the organizations. In full... Source:www.gdi.ge

Tbilisi. On September 4 "Media Advocacy” Coalition has organized a round table. Following to the presentation the discussion on media challenges has taken place and current changes have been analyzed. The Coalition disapproves the closure of public-political programs at TV Company "Imedi”. In the opinion of the organization, the developments on "Rustavi 2” and a bit earlier on the TV Company "Maestro” not only decrease media pluralism in Georgia but also point to the danger of limiting freedom of media in 2016 pre-election period. In full... Source:www.osgf.ge

Tbilisi. The Council of the Charter of Journalistic Ethics responds to the incident that happened on the 1st September in Qeda, during which, "in accordance with the information, provided by the Adjara Public Broadcaster, the journalist of the TV Company has been abused both verbally and physically. … The Council expresses its concern over the incident and calls on both the Government and the Prosecutor’s office of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara to ensure timely and adequate response…” – is noted in the statement. In full… Source: media.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association appraises the fact of closure of political talk-show programs "Reaktsia” and "Imedis Kvira” extremely negatively. "Broadcasting activities are associated with high social responsibility and, regardless of the type of ownership (private or public), broadcaster must respect public expectations. This obligation has been referred by the number of requirements and responsibilities, stipulated by the law of Georgia, which aims to ensure compliance of the broadcasting business with commercial interests” – is noted in the statement of the organization. GYLA calls on the owners and the governance of the TV Company to pay special attention to the management of broadcasting business… In full… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) comments on the statement of the TV Company "Imedi” regarding "Reaktsia” and "Imedis Kvira” programs. "It is to mention with the regret that the TV Company "Imedi” has not given sufficient explanation related to the closure of mentioned programs. Regardless the fact that "Imedi” is a private TV Company, it is considered that such an explanation is necessary to be made due to high public interest, moreover that the authors of the programs themselves openly talk about political pressure. Besides, it is completely unclear on what basis these especially top-rated programs have been closed” – is stated in the comment. In full… Source: www.isfed.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia responds to the official statement released by the TV Company "Imedi”. On August 29 TV Company "Imedi” released the statement about temporary suspension of public-political programs. The programs "Reaktsia” and "Imedis Kvira” will not be broadcasted on "Imedi” channel in a new season. In accordance with an official statement of the TV channel, it is intended to change the format of public-political programs, while the new product will be offered to TV audience from 2016 and onwards. "… TV Company "Imedi”, as a private company, is entirely free while planning activities of the channel, as well as its HR or information policies. However, as a common national broadcaster, it is accountable to the public. Respectively, "Transparency International Georgia” considers that the governance of the channel has to provide timely explanation of reasons and motives of its decision” - is noted in the response. In full… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Council of the Charter of Journalistic Ethics responds to the official statement released by the TV Company "Imedi” concerning public-political talk-show programs. "… The Council of the Charter considers that the closure of two of the top-rated public-political talk-show programs in the beginning of the new television season will have negative impact as on diversity of media as on development of political processes in country. It is assumed that the postponement of opening of the season of public-political programs till 2016 will create quite prolonged deficit of political discussions in a television space” - is stated on media.ge. In full… Source: media.ge

Tbilisi. Taking into consideration high public interest, on August 5, 2015 the Public Defender has studied the decision made by the Public Affairs Collegium of Tbilisi City Court with regard to "Rustavi 2”. According to the decision, the court seized shares of partners in the "Broadcasting Company Ruastavi 2” LTD.  ''Based on the abovementioned, the Public Defender considers that the Court's judgment on application of measures of satisfying a complaint violates the principle of proportionality of restriction of rights. The court limited the property right to a greater extent than was required by the plaintiff's legitimate goal, which, in turn, could create a real threat to the realization of freedom of expression by television stations''. The Public Defender continues to watch and survey the events developing around the case within its mandate. In full... Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia has addressed the Governor of Akhmeta Municipality with a recommendation concerning the legitimacy of non-provision of information to the media. On June 1, 2015 the governance of Akhmeta municipality refused to provide information about identity and contact details of representatives of the Municipality Governor to the Kakheti Information Center. The Public Defender considers that with this fact the legitimate right of the Kakheti Information Center about freedom of receiving information was limited. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association announces its statement in respect of events connected with Rustavi 2. In the opinion of GYLA legal case on broadcasting company should be handled with high standard of transparency and publicity, while the politicians should refrain from comments, which may affect independent decision-making of the court.  In full… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The coalition for media advocacy observes events connected with Rustavi 2 and makes an announcement. In full... Source:idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Non-Governmental Organizations comment on latest developments connected with the property of Rustavi 2, the broadcasting company, and seizure of its assets.  "Such a development of events may prove extremely dangerous ahead of upcoming 2016 parliamentary election since pluralism and diversity of opinions are decisive factors for a democratic process to ensure fair and equal election environment. The signatory non-governmental organizations express their support for the freedom of media in Georgia and will continue to keep a close watch on the developments of events surrounding Rustavi2"... In full… Source:mdfgeorgia.ge

Tbilisi. The ''Women's Movement'' and CSOs have reacted to the story aired by ''Imedi Week'' by appealing to media outlets on July 26. ''For media, as an influential institute to bear its share of responsibility before the public, it is central that when covering the cases of violence against women, it reflects the approaches provided in recommendations of UNESCO and other international organizations'', the joint statement says. The "Women's Movement" and CSOs express readiness for open discussions with media representatives. Read more... Source: www.ginsc.net