Europe & CIS

Democracy and the media

Georgia, 22 April 2008 – The recent political situation in Georgia has been characterized by tension and unrest. The media have played a key role, including through the intervention of both government and opposition. In the first half of April, before parliamentary elections in May, UNDP hosted a series of seminars for journalists to help enhance their knowledge of the electoral process in a climate of free and fair reporting.  Around 40 journalists from national and regional newspapers, radio and television took part in a series of intensive sessions to share the reporting skills and principles that have made Reuters one world’s premier news companies.

Pre-election situation in Georgia
The run-up to Georgia’s parliamentary elections in May 2008 has seen a rise in tension between the government and political opposition, and mass unrest in November 2007 followed by the early presidential polls in January 2008. Media outlets fanned the heated situation with aggressive language and unbalanced coverage. In November 2007, the government shut down one of the leading TV companies in a police raid. In March 2008, the leadership of the Georgian Public Broadcasting was replaced by the demand of the opposition.

Willingly or not, Georgian media was placed into the epicentre of political developments which has dramatically increased the value and impact of its reporting in a pre-election period. 

UNDP’s approach
UNDP has been supporting electoral processes in Georgia since 2003. In July 2007, the Country Office launched another project to help the Central Election Commission of Georgia in its preparations for the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2008. The project supported professional training to the electoral administration throughout the country, which included 380 permanent members of the district election commissions and over 45 thousand temporary members of the precinct election commissions.

Once the November 2007 crisis was resolved and the country entered the pre-parliamentary elections stage, the project team faced the need to respond to the dynamic political environment by expanding the project activities and introducing some additional components.

“To have a real impact, the project had to focus more on the ongoing developments in the country,” says Gigi Bregadze, UNDP Democratic Governance Programme Analyst. “To contribute to this, we decided to commission a training course tailored for journalists covering the forthcoming parliamentary elections.” 

The media training initiative was fully supported by the Country Office management. “Professional and balanced media reporting is an important precondition for transparent and democratic elections,” UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia Robert Watkins said in his letter to the chief editors of the leading Georgian media outlets. 

To ensure the quality of the course, UNDP teamed up with Reuters Foundation, a world leader in media development and partner of UNDP for communications and training.

Off to a good start
The journalism training which took place in three different locations of Georgia – Gudauri, Telavi and Batumi, brought together media professionals from national and regional newspapers, radio and television. Delivered by Royston Martin and Brian Williams, experienced Reuters journalists and training consultants, the course blended theory and practical exercises with the discussions on the role of media in the pre-election environment.    

“I discovered a lot I already knew but never paid proper attention to,” said in Gudauri Giorgi Chaduneli of Georgia’s leading television Rusatvi-2. The process was not always easy and the sessions often ended up with heated debate.

“This training was a source of new ideas! I can’t wait to come back to the office and make them work. I am sure the knowledge I have received will help me write better. At least I promise I will try,” said in Telavi Eka Kotolashvili of the regional daily Khalkhis Gazeti (People’s Newspaper).     

After the closing sessions in Batumi, Reuters Foundation spokesman Royston Martin said: “It’s been an exciting and dynamic experience working with such a wide range of Georgian media professionals who have a very real commitment and understanding of the role the media can play to help ensure free and fair election coverage.” 

The election reporting course is one of UNDP’s first media development initiatives in Georgia. It took place in the context of UNDP’s project on Assistance to the Central Electoral Commission. In addition to supporting professional training for staff in the electoral authorities, this project includes education campaigns directed at citizens – through TV and radio advertisements and multi-language publications – on the importance of the democratic process and its relationship to individual voters. With this successful experience, the Country Office will look for similar opportunities in the future.

Project website / UNDP Georgia

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