MEDIA ENVIRONMENT 2022: THREATS AND SUPPORTIVE INSTRUMENTS IN GEORGIA

Authors

  • Mariam Gersamia Author
  • Maia Toradze Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52340/4zjt5306

Abstract

The study was conducted as part of the project “Media Environment 2022: Threats and Supportive Instruments during political polarization and crisis” with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Caucasus Office.  

References

Amnesty International (2022), Georgia: Sentencing of pro-opposition media owner Nika Gvaramia a political motivated silencing of dissenting voice, available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/05/georgia-sentencing-of-pro-op- position-me-'dia-owner-nika-gvaramia-a-political-motivated-silencing-of-s-dissent-ing-voice(last seen: 20.12.2022).

Chivvis Ch., (2017), Understanding Russian “Hybrid Warfare" And What Can Be Done About it, RAND Corporation, USA, p. 3; available at: https://www.rand.org/contentdam/rand/pubs/testimonies/CT400/CT468/RAND_CT468.pdf. (last seen: 13.12.2022).

Dosenko, Anzhelika and luksel, Gaiana and Sydorenko, Nataliia and Sytnyk, Oleksii and Dubetska, Oksana (2022), Crimean Citizen Journalism: Genesis and Trends in Commu- ni-cation Network, International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security (2). pp. 63-74. ISSN 1738-7906.

Commission Opinion on Georgia’s application for membership of the European Union, С0м(2022) 405 final, (17.06. 2022) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council, available at: https:/neigh-bou rhood-enlargement.ec.euгора,eu/system/files/2022-06/Georgia%20opin- ion%20and%20Annex.pdf (last seen: 12.12.2022).

Geissler D., Bar D., et al, (2022), Russian propaganda on social media during the 2022: Invasion of Ukraine, Cornell University, p. 2; online archive available at: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2211.04154.pdf (last seen: 17.12.2022).

Gersamia, М., Toradze, М., (2021), Media Environment before and after 2021 Elections: Threats and Supportive Instruments, Media and Communication Educational and Research Center.

Georgia: TV channel director Nika Gvaramia sentenced to prison (2022), International Press Institute, Available at: https://ipi.media/georgia-tv-channel-director-nika-gvaramia-sentenced-to-prison(last seen: 19.12.2022).

Georgian pro-opposition journalist Nika Gvaramia sentenced to 3.5 years in prison, (2022), Committee to Protect Journalists available at: https://cpj.org/2022/05georgian-pro-opposition-journalist-nika-gvaramia-sentenced-to-3-5-years-in-prison(last seen: 20.12.2022).

Griffen, S. (2022), Analyses the cost to journalism. British Journalism Review, 33(2), pp.21-24. doi:10.1177/09564748221103429.

Hanley, H. W., Kumar, D., & Durumeric, Z. (2022). "A Special Operation": A Quantitative Approach to Dissecting and Comparing Different Media Ecosystems’ Coverage of the Russo-Ukrainian War, arXiv preprint arXiv:2210.03016.

IPI Tracker: 707 media freedom alerts linked to Russia-Ukraine war, (2022), International Press Institute (IPI), available at: https://ipi.media/ipi-tracker-russia-ukraine-war- vis-'Ualisations(last seen: 15.12. 2022).

Journalist safety and self-censorship, (2020), edited by Anna Gr0ndahl Larsen, Ingrid Fadnes, et al, Routledge.

Kitty A.,(2005), Don’t Believe It, How lies Become News, published by Desinformation Company.

Liaropoulos N.,(2002), Information as an Instrument of Power - Lessons learned from the War in Ukraine, NATO OPEN Publications, vol.7, no.6, available at: http://bit.ly/3PX- E86Y (last seen: 15.12.2022).

Makhortykh, M. and Bastian, M. (2020), Personalizing the war: Perspectives for the adoption of news recommendation algorithms in the media coverage of the conflict in Easbern Ukraine, Media, War & Conflict, p.175063522090625. doi:10.1177/1750635220906254.

Newman N., (2022), Digital News Project, Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions 2022, Published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism with the support of the Google News Initiative, available at: https://reutersinsti-tute.pol- itics.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/Newman%20-%20Trends%20and%20Predictions%202022%20FINAL.pdf (last seen: 17.12.2022).

Noren P., (2022), The Three Pillars of Solidarity Journalism and Why It Is So Important, “Media Voice” Center, available at: https://www.mcerc.ge/post/journalist-sub-ject-so-'ciety-the-three-pillars-of-solidarity-journalism-and-why-it-so-important (last seen: 13.12.2022)

Pavlik, J., (2022), The Russian War in Ukraine and the Implications for the News Media. Athens Journal of Mass Media and Communications.

Russia's War: How will it affect the regions's future? [2022], Conference at Chatham House - Royat Institute of International Affairs, London, recording available at: https:/www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/conference/russias-war-how-will-it-shape-regions-future (last seen: 21.12.2022).

Scott М.,(2022), As war in Ukraine evolves, so do disinformation tactics, available at: https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-russia-disinformation-propaganda(last seen: 17.12.2022).

Griffen, S. (2022), Analyses the cost to journalism. British Journalism Review, 33(2), pp.21-24. doi:10.1177/09564748221103429.

Hanley, H. W., Kumar, D., & Durumeric, Z. (2022). "A Special Operation": A Quantitative Approach to Dissecting and Comparing Different Media Ecosystems’ Coverage of the Russo-Ukrainian War, arXiv preprint arXiv:2210.03016.

IPI Tracker: 707 media freedom alerts linked to Russia-Ukraine war, (2022), International Press Institute (IPI), available at: https://ipi.media/ipi-tracker-russia-ukraine-war- vis-'Ualisations(last seen: 15.12. 2022).

Journalist safety and self-censorship, (2020), edited by Anna Gr0ndahl Larsen, Ingrid Fadnes, et al, Routledge.

Kitty A.,(2005), Don’t Believe It, How lies Become News, published by Desinformation Company.

Liaropoulos N.,(2002), Information as an Instrument of Power - Lessons learned from the War in Ukraine, NATO OPEN Publications, vol.7, no.6, available at: http://bit. ly/3PX- E86Y (last seen: 15.12.2022).

Makhortykh, M. and Bastian, M. (2020), Personalizing the war: Perspectives for the adoption of news recommendation algorithms in the media coverage of the conflict in Easbern Ukraine, Media, War & Conflict, p.175063522090625. doi:10.1177/1750635220906254.

Newman N., (2022), Digital News Project, Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions 2022, Published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism with the support of the Google News Initiative, available at: https://reutersinsti-tute.pol- itics.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/Newman%20-%20Trends%20and%20 Predictions%202022%20FINAL.pdf (last seen: 17.12.2022).

Noren P., (2022), The Three Pillars of Solidarity Journalism and Why It Is So Important, “Media Voice” Center, available at: https://www.mcerc.ge/post/journalist-subject-so-'ciety-the-three-pillars-of-solidarity-journalism-and-why-it-so-important (last seen: 13.12.2022)

Pavlik, J., (2022), The Russian War in Ukraine and the Implications for the News Media. Athens Journal of Mass Media and Communications.

Russia's War: How will it affect the regions's future? [2022], Conference at Chatham House - Royat Institute of International Affairs, London, recording available at: https:/www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/conference/russias-war-how-will-it-shape-regions-future (last seen: 21.12.2022).

Scott М.,(2022), As war in Ukraine evolves, so do disinformation tactics, available at: https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-russia-disinformation-propaganda(last seen: 17.12.2022).

Media Enviroment in Georgia 2022

Solidarity Journalism Initiative Helps News Outlets Ethically cover Underrepresented People, 2020, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, available at: https://www.einpress-wire.com/article/526880389/solidarity-journalism-initiative-helps-news-outlets-ethi- cally-cover-underrepresented-people?r=paADrDBe3a8EuR_gqP (last seen: 20.12.2022).

Sylverster B., (2019), Fact Check: did Voltaire say "I may dissapprove of what you say, but I will dfend to the death your right to say it". Accordig to https://checkyourfact.com, Though it may reflect Voltaire's beliefs, writer Evelyn Beatrice Hall actually coined the quote in her Voltaire biography, available aat: https://checkyourfact.com/2019/09/17fact-check-voltaire-disapprove-defend-death-right-freedom-speech(last seen: 20.12.2022).

Toth, F., Mihelj, S., Stetka, V., & Kondor, K. (2022). A media repertoires approach to selective exposure: news consumption and political polarization in Eastern Europe. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 19401612211072552.

UNESCO observatory of killed journalists - Ukraine, (2022), available at: https://en.une- sco.org/themes/safety-journalists/observatory/country/223833 (last seen: 15.12.2022).

Varma A.,(2021), What Solidarity Journalism Reveals to Us, available at: https:/indypendent.org/2021/12/what-solidarity-journalism-reveals-to-us/(last seen:20.12.2022).

Varma A., (2020), Solidarity Journalism, Available at: https://www.scu.edu/ethicsfo-cus-areas/journalism-and-media-ethics/resources/solidarity-journalism/ (last seen: 22.12.2022).

Vibrant Information Barometer, (2022), IREX, available at: https://www.irex.orgVIBE_2022_Georgia (last seen: 19.12.2022).

Wooley S.,(2022) In Many Democracies, Disinformation Targets the Most Vulnerable, Center for International Governance Innovation, available at: https://www.cigionline. org/articles/in-many-democracies-disinformation-targets-the-most-vulnerable(last seen: 13.12.2022).

Zheng, N. (2022). The Content Analysis of BBC Live News Reports of the Russia Ukraine War. In 2022 International Conference on Science Education and Art Appreciation (SEAA 2022), Atlantis Press.

Literature in Georgian Language

Anatomy of the Hybrid Wars, 2021, Civil Idea, 1st edition, Palitra L publishing. General Administrative Code of Georgia

Georgian Law on Broadcasting 70

Gersamia М., Gigauri E., Mamasakhlisi S., Bodokia М., Nakoevi М., (2022), Russia's War in Ukraine and Georgian Media Solidarity Towards Ukraine, Media and Communication Educational and Research Center "Media Voice" Research.

Gersamia, М., & Toradze, М., (2022), Media Environment in Georgia during the Crisis, Georgian Scientists, 4(4). https://doi.org/l0.52340/gs.2022.04.04.25.

Kakachia K., Kandelaki S., (2022), Migration from Russia: danger or opportunity for Georgia? , Georgia Policy Institute, Policy Memorandum, #61. Available at: http://bit. ly/3WNbmlx (last seen: 21.12.2022)

Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger S., (2019), Angst Essen Freiheit Auf, Warum wir unsere Grundrechte schiitzen mussen, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - the South Caucasus Office, (translation by Panjikidze N.)

Media Advocacy Coalition's Statement on Amendments to the Law of Georgia On Broadcasting, (2022), available at: http://mediacoalition.ge/ge/a/7bfc46e7, (last seen: 13.12.2022).

Media Access to Public Information: Legislation v. Reality, (2022), Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), Available at: https://idfi.ge/public/up- load/Analysis/access_to_pu blic_information_by_the_media_legislation_v_reality.pdf (last seen: 20.12.2022)

Notes and recommendations prepared by "Democratic Initiative of Georgia” in connection with the project of legislative changes initiated in the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting (07-3/236/10), Democratic Initiative of Georgia, available at: https://gdi.ge/up- loads/other/1 /1552.pdf (last seen: 13.12.2022).

Public mood in Georgia, results of face-to-face survey conducted in August 2022, NDI-CRRC, available at: www.ndi.org/georgia-polls,www.caucasusbarometer.org (last seen: 16.12. 2022).

Public Opinion Surveys, Residents of Georgia, International Republican Institute, March and September, 2022, available at: https://www.iri.org/search/?_search=Georgia (last seen: 20.12.2022).

Samkharadze, N., (2022), What Does Polarization Look Like in Georgia and How to Measure It?, Georgia Institute of Policy (GIP) Policy Memorandum #60, available at: https:/bit.ly/3BHPp5F (last seen: 20.12.2022).

The statement of the Communications Commission, in the second quarter of 2022, television and radio advertising revenue was 19 million GEL, (2022), available at: https:/comcom.ge/ge/yvela-siaxle/2022-wlis-meore-kvartalshi-televiziebisa-da-radioeb- is-sareklamo-shemosavali-19-milioni-lari-iyo.page (last seen: 13.12.2022).

The statement of the Communications Commission, in the third quarter of 2022, the advertising revenue of television and radio stations was 16.3 million GEL, (2022). Available at: https://comcom.ge/ge/yvela-siaxle/2022-wlis-mesame-kvartalshi-televiziebi- sa-da-radioebis-sareklamo-shemosavali-163-milioni-lari-iyo.page (last seen: December 13.12. 2022).

Tourism or Migration? (indicator of Russian citizen stay in Georgia - March-June 2022), Institute for Development for Freedom of Information (2022), available at: https://idfi.ge/ge/tourism_or_migration_rate_of_stay_of_russian_citizens_in_georgia (last seen: 13.12.2022)

Turava P., Avalishvili L., Zorbenadze S., Freedom of information - A guide for public institutions (second edition), Available: https://idfi.ge/public/upload/courts/EBRDFreedom%20of%20lnformation%20Guidebook%20%20Second%20Edition.pdf (last seen: 20.12.2022)

Vardiashvili М., (2022). The Georgian government should focus on fundamental issues - ADB, Available: https://bm.ge/ka/article/saqartvelos-mtavrobam-fundamen- tur-sakitxebze-unda-gaamaxvilos-yuradgeba-—adb/117502 (last accessed: December 25, 2022).

Media content (in Georgian language)

Asatiani I., (12.12.2022), Why do we pay money to Marshallpress?, Investigative Studio iFact, Available: http://bit.ly/3HZAAPM (last seen: 20.12.2022).

Asatiani, I., Kachkachishvili, М., Mikheladze, N., (21.12.2022), The government as a conduit for Russian disinformation, investigative studio iFact, Available at: http://bit. Iy/3YRGZIX (last seen: 23.12.2022)

Asatiani I., Yusif A., (10.05.2022), Protopresbyter’s father’s call to a relative, investigative studio iFact, Available: http://bit.ly/3GoV976 (last seen: 22.12.2022).

Call on Zurabishvili to pardon Gvaramia - NGO and media letter to Charles Michel, Net- gazeti, 07.11.2022; Available at: https://netgazeti.ge/news/639477(last seen: 12.12.2022).

Complaints of 10 journalists were sent to the European Court in the case of illegal wiretapping, (13.07.2022), Radio Liberty, Available: https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/31941548.html (last seen: 18.12.2022).

Do not allow the oligarchic regime to kill democracy in the end - Appeal of 4 opposition channels to the West, (16.05.2022), online media: on.ge, available at: https://bit.ly/3l9lrLX (last seen: 25.12.2022).

Kavkasia TV Company is contacting you for support, available at: https://kavkasiatv.ge2022/07/14/%e1%83%97%e1%83%98%e1%83%91%e1%83%98%e1%83%a1%e1%83%98(last seen: 19.12.2022).

Oligarch’s Forest, (12.11.2022), Formula on Saturday, Formula TV, available at: http://bit. ly/3GkxSD1 (last seen: 24.12.2022)

Overview of Local Municipalities' Television Purchases, (2022), Transparency International Georgia, Available at: https://transparency.ge/ge/post/adgilobrivi-municipal- itetebis-satelevizio-shesqidvebis-mimoxilva (last seen: 17.12.2022).

"There is a political motive in the decision" - on the case of Tl Khazaradze-Japaridze, (12.01.2022) Netgazeti, available at: https://netgazeti.ge/news/586308(last seen: 22.12.2022).

There is an intention to close “Formula” - Kezerashvili, (30.09.2021), Netgazeti, available at: https://netgazeti.ge/news/566021(last seen: 22.12.2022).

The Patriarchate declares that the media “immorally" covered the incident of thug attack and rape in the monastery, (19.11. 2022), radio Liberty, available at: https://www. radiotavisupleba.ge/a/32151617.html (last seen: 21.12.2022).

TV 25 announces that it is in danger of closing - The reason is the financial crisis, (09.07.2022) , Batumelebi, Available at: https://batumelebi.netgazeti.ge/news/434174(last seen: 19.12.2022)

“You can save Mtavari Channel", front page of the TV company, there is a video clip, where bank accounts for donations are located, available at: https://mtavari.tv(last seen: 19.12.2022)

Social media (in English)

Max Katz, @Max_lhttps://www.youtube.com/c/max- katzl/videos (last seen: 12.12.2022)

Reporters Without Borders (2022), @RSFJnter [Twitter]. Available at: https://twitter.com/RSF_inter/status/l529044780809871361?s=20&t=_7pRp54_hFQKMlcWMx777A (last seen: 20.12.2022).

Social media (in Georgian):

TV Kavkasia, @Tv.kavkasia, [YouTube] (2022), Footage of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs taking away the microphone from a journalist, available at: https:/youtu.be/lHaENvjetPQ (last seen: 20.12.2022).

Published

2022-10-17

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

MEDIA ENVIRONMENT 2022: THREATS AND SUPPORTIVE INSTRUMENTS IN GEORGIA. (2022). Media and Communication Educational and Research Center. https://doi.org/10.52340/4zjt5306