Tbilisi. Present study of the Media Development Foundation reflects results of media monitoring conducted within a period from January 1 to December 31, 2019. “Compared to the previous year, the number of homophobic statements has sharply increased. Both the media and “Georgian March”, an anti-liberal group, attempted to link an anti-occupation rally of June 20 to a gay pride and an LGBT community. There were spread speculations as if at the anti-occupation rally resignation of Prime Minister Gakharia was demanded by nationalists and “pederasts”. The largest share of xenophobic messages comes from comments with anti-migrant content, which is followed by Turkophobic statements. Among political parties hate speech was most frequently used by members of the “Alliance of Patriots”, which, along with “TV Obiektivi”, was the main source of Turkophobic messages”. Read more… Source: mdfgeorgia.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by “Green Alternative”, after a two-year investigation, the appeal mechanism of two largest European banks revealed that a Nenskra hydroelectric power plant project, planned in Svaneti, did not comply with international standards; “The issue is all about requirements of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), financiers of Nenskra HPP, a significant part of which requirements the project fails to meet. In particular, Nenskra HPP does not comply with standards of banks in such fundamental issues as: rights of indigenous population, protection of cultural heritage, study of alternatives of the project, gender issues, transparency of information, competence of representatives of a company implementing the Nenskra HPP project”. Read more… Source: greenalt.org

Tbilisi. On September 9, 2020, Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, presented Special Report on the Results of the Monitoring Carried out in Preschool Educational Institutions. “The monitoring made it clear that the situation had improved after the monitoring conducted by the Public Defender's Office in 2014, mainly in terms of healthy and balanced food, as well as special nutritional needs. However, despite the efforts of the state and municipalities, a number of issues remain in kindergartens unresolved, which require more efforts from the relevant structures”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Adjara. During the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia Red Cross Society set up tents at two more locations in Batumi today. Citizens are able to take a free test at the following addresses: • Alphabetic tower (near the seaside) • Colonnade (Boulevard) • Ajarian House (Boulvard) • Tsereteli street • Market “Khopa”  Read more… Source: The organization’s page in a social network

Tbilisi. According to information released by Myth Detector, an online program of the Facebook page “Alt-Info” on September 2 was about an issue of Russian funding of the “Alliance of Patriots” party. Shota Martinenko, a host of “Alt-Info” stated that pro-Western political parties in Georgia are financed from abroad while “European Georgia” and other parties receive funds from the “Open Society Georgia Foundation” (the so-called Soros Foundation). “The declaration, whether political parties in Georgia are financed by the “Open Society Georgia Foundation”, is disinformation. The Foundation, according to its internal policy, never finances political parties or their pro-/anti-campaigns. Besides, it is also noted in the project funding online application that the project should not envisage activities in support of a political party/person”. Read more… Source: www.mythdetector.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post: Funding and rating of Public Broadcaster in 3 years after the start of a reform. “According to our data, in 2018-2019 years rating of the broadcaster had a slight increase. It should be noted that the existing increase in the rating is mostly due to new projects and mega shows initiated on the channel. However, considering the role of Public Broadcaster defined by law, there arise questions as to how much these programs serve the public good. In the beginning of 2017, Vasil Maglaperidze stated that he would resign from his position if the rating of Public Broadcaster was not more than 15% by 2019. TVMR data show that the rating of the broadcaster did not reach the desired level by 2019. Maglaperidze resigned on August 18, 2020, however he did not name the rating problem as the reason for quitting his position”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), next event of the Solidarity Platform was held on September 5-6.  “Discussions, carried out within the framework of the event, were related to participation of non-dominant ethnic and religious groups in public life. During meetings, Naira Gelashvili and Giorgi Tarkhan-Mouravigave their speeches on the topic: How did we come to this point? A civic equality and integration policy of Georgia in the 1990s and 2000s. Besides, speeches were made by Teona Piranishvili and Kamran Mammadli, researchers of EMC”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) presented the third interim report of a pre-election monitoring of the 2020 elections of the Parliament of Georgia. “The report mainly contains a review of the period from August 4 through September 5, 2020, as well as developments that have been initiated before August 4. According to the appraisal of the organization, signs of alleged bribing ofvoters and use of administrative resources during the reporting period remain a major challenge for the electoral environment”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: isfed.ge

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Special seminar about protective methods against the new coronavirus was held for the beneficiaries of Daycare Centers for Children and People with Disabilities established at the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC). “The seminar included the following information: what is the virus; how to protect ourselves from Covid-19; the correct usage of medical masks, show covers and gloves. Through fun activities, with the help of disposable gloves, daycare center specialists taught the rules of hand hygiene, which will help them to gain knowledge and abilities regarding personal hygiene”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia is responding to the rallies held against the Pankisi Community Radio and its founder in the village of Duisi on August 29 and September 5, 2020. “The Public Defender emphasizes the important role of the media in covering the processes ongoing in the gorge and calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia to launch an investigation into the above-mentioned facts in a timely manner, as well as to assess the risks of obstruction of professionaljournalistic activity of Gela Mtivlishvili and other employees of the Pankisi Radio and to take appropriate measures to ensure a safe working environment for them”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary believes that the proposed draft amendments to the Law of Georgia on Common Courts are fragmented and do not address the challenges and problems that are characteristic not only to the process of selection of the Supreme Court judges but also to the judiciary, in general. The bill is concerned with the duty of the High Council of Justice to make reasoned decisions regarding Supreme Court judicial candidates, as well as with candidates’ ability to appeal these decisions. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) responds to a law,adopted by the Parliament of Georgia on September 2, 2020, according to which, from January 1, 2021, the Border Police will restrictcitizens of Georgia to depart from the territory of Georgia with the intention to enterthe Schengen zone if they do not meet criteria stipulated by the law. The organization considers that the adopted law is unconstitutional and contradicts international standards. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies publishes material of Mamuka Komakhia, ananalyst: Review of Russian policy in post-Soviet space, edition 15. “Russia considers post-Soviet space to be its sphere of influence and sees enhancement of Western positions in the region as a threat to its national interests. The purpose of our review is to provide readers with information regarding important developments related to Russian policy in post-Soviet space. The review is published once every two weeks and tends to be useful for everyone, decision makers, public servants, media representatives or others who are interested in ongoing processes in post-Soviet countries”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source:www.gfsis.org

Tbilisi. Myth Detector publishes a blog post of Tamar Chkhartishvili: How aredrying trees, diseases and domestic violence linked to 5G? “In the August 31-September 6 edition of the “Asaval-Dasavali” newspaper, there was published an interview with Lali Moroshkina, who talked about 5G antennas. According to Moroshkina, the coniferous trees dry out as a result of a radiation and beginning of the drying process is linked with activation of 5G antennas in a test mode. Besides, Moroshkina links headaches, high blood pressure, mental disorders and even domestic violenceto 5G. The statement of Lali Moroshkina in regard to connection between 5G antennas and various diseases, domestic violence and drying trees is an anecdotal evidence and is not supported by scientific studies or arguments. Besides, information,as if Belgium, France and Germany have rejected 5G technology, is false”, - is stated in the blog post. Read more… Source:www.mythdetector.ge

Tbilisi. On September 3, 2020, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria met with Prosecutor General Irakli Shotadze. The parties talked about high-profile cases and plans for cooperation. “The main focus of Public Defender’s questions was the investigation into the death of young programmer Tamar Bachaliashvili. Nino Lomjaria inquired about the versions of the investigation relating to the cause of the programmer’s death”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

On September 3, Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) held an online intellectual game – What? Where? When? within the framework of EU-funded Project – Civil Society Sustainable Initiative (CSSIGE) on the topics of volunteering and civic activism. "The game was broadcasted LIVE via the FACEBOOK page of Timerepublik Georgia – the first time bank in Georgia. The intellectual game aims to raise awareness of volunteering and civic activism among the public, especially among Georgian youth. In total, 10 teams represented from 10 regions of Georgia took part in the game". ”Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” was developed and is implemented by the consortium lead by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in cooperation with four Georgian Civil Society Organizations: 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 funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in a social network

Tbilisi. Media Checker publishes material of Magda Gugulashvili: Recommendations for coronavirus coverage. “Spread of the new coronavirus has posed a number of challenges to the media in terms of adhering to professional standards. Besides universally recognized principles of ethical journalism, such as accuracy, fairness and impartiality, international guidelines call on the media to exercise caution when using terminology, selecting photo/video material, publishing statistical data, to think about necessity of identifying infected respondents and disclosing personal information,to avoid encouragement of a racist, discriminatory discussion and hate speech, to refrain from stigmatizing people”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: www.mediachecker.ge

Tbilisi. Center for Development and Democracy (CDD) will act as a local observation organization during the parliamentary election of October 31, 2020. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office has resumed electronic course “For the prevention of sexual harassment”. The course aims to raise awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace and public space. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes analytical material: Cyber-attack on the Ministry of Health and a Russian trace. “It can be said that cyber-threats coming from the Russian Federation are somewhat predictable. Besides, although the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia does not name a specific country, from where the cyber-attack on the Ministry of Health of Georgia was carried out, on the basis of the same report it is possible to assume that the above was in the interest of Russia, because as previous developments also show, it has been long time that Russia considers existence and successful operation of an American laboratory at its border a threat, which is violation of Paragraph 14 of a military doctrine of Russia”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Mentoring for Women’s Empowerment – UN Women hosted a workshop with the aim to increase understanding of HR professionals from the Women’s Empowerment Principles signatory companies on how to establish workplace mentoring programmes. Workshop participants gained practical skills on how to develop and roll out mentoring programmes for women’s empowerment in the future. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network