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The following report reflects the 2023 data on the financial transparency of Georgian media. The research, conducted annually by the Media Development Foundation (MDF), is based on the analysis of revenues declared by broadcasting media as required by law, as well as the practice of allocating budgetary funds for disseminating information and advertising in the media. The data is based on the information retrieved from the State Procurement Agency, as well as additional informati... See More
During the pre-election period, the Media Development Foundation (MDF) conducted research on anti-Western narratives and disinformation in both traditional and social media. The following report provides interim findings, covering the period from July 1 to October 1, 2024. The purpose of the study was to analyse the types and sources of anti-Western narratives disseminated by various actors in the lead-up to the elections, as well as the disinformation techniques used to influence pub... See More
The report was prepared by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) as part of the project "Gender Disinformation and Inclusive Media Reporting”, with financial support from International Media Support (IMS). The views and opinions expressed in the report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of International Media Support. The report is based on data obtained as a result of media monitoring conducted by the Media Development Foundation within the... See More
The Media Development Foundation (MDF) has been publishing the Anti-Western Propaganda report annually from 2014 to 2020. Taking into account the recent changes in the media ecosystem, the research methodology has undergone some adjustments in terms of media subjects. The following report analyzes the 2022 trends in anti-Western messages and reviews their typology and sources. Monitoring through traditional media (Television, print, and online outlets) was carried out on both media and o... See More
The Media Development Foundation (MDF) has been researching the issue of financial transparency of the Georgian media environment for years now. The following report reflects the data of 2022 and is based on the analysis of the revenues declared by media broadcasters as demanded by the law and the practice of allocating budgetary funds for advertising and dissemination of information. The data is based on the information retrieved from the State Procurement Agency, as well as additional infor... See More
The first half of 2023 was marked by further growth of anti-Western, anti-liberal, sexist, and homophobic discourse in Georgia. The main sources of sexist and homophobic hate speech over the years have been antiliberal and extreme right-wing actors, which have recently been reinforced by conservative rhetoric actively used by the authorities. The politicization of the term "gender” and the use of gender themes for political struggle is a common recent trend. In the case of Georgia, ... See More
The Media Development Foundation (MDF) launched a study on gendered disinformation in 2022 and, given the urgency of the problem, has continued to study the media ecosystem in this respect in 2023 as well. As the analysis of the collected data shows, these topics involve issues concerning the infringement on individual rights, are linked to local political processes, and also have a global dimension as they are often used to incite anti-Western sentiments. This is an interim report ... See More
In parallel to the rising populism, the manipulation of public opinion around gender and LGBTQI identity-related topics has become a challenge not only in terms of human rights but in politics as well. Harmful information, which by appealing to sensitive topics, aims at creating public confrontation, influencing its values and political systems, poses a threat to society and is often related to foreign information interventions, as well as polarization within the country. Along with the anti-l... See More
The following report reflects the 2021 practice of allocating budgetary funds for the purpose of advertising and dissemination of information in media and is based on publicly available data of the State Procurement Agency, and, in selected cases, additional information requested from public agencies. To illustrate the editorial policies of media outlets that received budgetary contracts, the study also includes individual examples of media coverage. The introductory part of the rep... See More
The aim of the research was to study media consumption habits among different age groups and geographical areas, as well as the public’s vulnerability to various disinformation and manipulative narratives disseminated in Georgia. The first part of the research concerns media literacy competencies, namely media consumption habits, the ability to identify and verify false information, while the second part deals with perceptions of disinformation in relation to 3 thematic areas (Russi... See More
The following report reflects the results of media content monitoring to analyze conflict coverage by Azerbaijani- and Armenian-language regional platforms. In addition, the report incorporates conflict-related qualitative data acquired from specific Russian- and Georgian-language Facebook accounts. The study aims to identify the degree of media’s adherence to professional standards of conflict reporting and the potential spread of disinformation and hate speech. The study applied ... See More
One year has passed since the violent actions of July 5, 2021, led against the "March of Dignity" planned within the Tbilisi Pride Week. In order to disperse the rally, violent groups held a counter-demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue, raiding the offices of civil activists organization "Shame Movement" and "Tbilisi Pride", as well as the opposition tents placed in front of the parliament. On July 6, the participants of the protest took down the flag of the European Union erected next to the flag ... See More
Following the Russian invasion in the territories of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the launch of full-scale military intervention, a number of disinformation related to the war has been disseminated in the Georgian, Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian social and traditional media. As part of Facebook’s third-party fact-checking program, Myth Detector has joined Meta’s efforts aimed at reducing the spread of false information about the war. For a period of two months, fr... See More
Media literacy is a core element of information consumption in a rapidly changing media environment. In such an environment, high media literacy within the audience also generates a demand for quality journalism and helps quality media to survive and develop, as well as to remain trusted. Critical thinking and responsible media use are among the most essential elements in order to strengthen the cognitive dimension of societal resilience to stand up against disinformation and other types of a... See More
This Report is the second edition of the study launched in 2020 – Mapping Research: Comparing foreign influence in Georgia. This year’s issue - Russian and Chinese influences in Georgia - 2021 update monitors the development of foreign country influences in Georgia in 2021, especially in state institutions, NGOs, media, political parties, or the Church. This paper aims to further analyze a broad spectrum of problems already introduced in the previous report, such as campaigns and activities ... See More
The following report, aimed at identifying various forms and sources of hate speech in media and public discourse, reflects the results of media monitoring conducted in a period between 1 January and 31 December 2020. Apart from media outlets, the monitoring focused on other sources, namely, politicians, clergy, civil society organizations and individual members of the society. The introductory part of the report presents the key findings and the methodology of the study;... See More
Media literacy is a core element of information consumption in a rapidly changing media environment. In such an environment, high media literacy within the audience also generates a demand for quality journalism and helps quality media to survive and develop, as well as to remain trusted. Critical thinking and responsible media use are among the most essential elements in order to strengthen the cognitive dimension of societal resilience to stand up against disinformation and other types of ag... See More
The following report on the financial transparency of media represents data of 2020. In order to illustrate the extent to which budgetary funding influences the editorial policy of the media or to observe the types of editorial policies the concerned media outlets pursue, it also discusses some examples of media coverage. Released by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) annually, the report explores, on the one hand, declared revenues of broadcast media and, on the other, the practice of al... See More
Internews’ partner Media Development Foundation publishes the first interim report on monitoring of conflict reporting by regional minority language media in Georgia. The study adopts a specific focus on social media and digital channels of communications in the analysis. The findings presented in the study are based on the quantitative analysis of data collected from daily monitoring of some 20 local Azerbaijani- and Armenian-language media outlets as well as from conflict-related qualitative d... See More
The report is available here Author: KETI MSKHILADZE Monitors: MEDEA SULAMANIDZE, MARIAM TALAKHADZE Editor: TAMAR KINTSURASHVILI The report has been prepared by Media Development Foundation (MDF) with support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) component within the framework of the United Nations Joint Programme for Gender Equality financed by the Government of Sweden. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent thos... See More
This sixth annual report of anti-Western propaganda reflects the results of media monitoring conducted in 2020. A discourse analysis section provides an overview of anti-Western messages spread by various sources in traditional media, a structure of narratives and modification of narratives over time. A section on disinformation and manipulative content discusses the material identified not only in traditional media but also in social networks where the cases were revealed by means of a Facebo... See More
The Media Development Foundation (MDF) has prepared the present report within the framework of the research project implemented by Open Information Partnership. Think tanks from 5 countries (Poland, Lithuania, Georgia, Estonia, Czech Republic) have studied the issue of advertising the products of local companies on Kremlin propaganda websites through Google Ads. The Media Development Foundation participated in the research from Georgia. The report reflects Georgia’s findings. The report ... See More
An infodemic, as defined by the World Health Organization, is an overabundance of information, both online and offline. It includes deliberate attempts to disseminate wrong information to undermine the public health response and advance alternative agendas of groups or individuals. Mis- and disinformation can be harmful to people’s physical and mental health; increase stigmatization; threaten precious health gains; and lead to poor observance of public health measures, thus reducing their effe... See More
EUROPEAN VALUES CENTER FOR SECURITY POLICY European Values Center for Security Policy is a non-governmental, non-partisan institute defending freedom and sovereignty. We protect liberal democracy, the rule of law, and the transatlantic alliance of the Czech Republic. We help defend Europe especially from the malign influences of Russia, China, and Islamic extremists. We envision a free, safe, and prosperous Czechia within a vibrant Central Europe that is an integral part of the transat... See More
This is the second survey conducted by Media Development Foundation (MDF) to study the impact of disinformation and conspiracy theories on public perceptions and to identify conspiracy theories that are most widespread among population. The survey also aimed at studying public attitudes towards selected foreign policy issues as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, including vaccination. The survey rests on the anecdotal evidence method, applying evidence collected in an informal manner an... See More
"Gender Barometer – Monitoring sexist speech during pre-election period” is implemented with support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project is implemented by Media Development Foundation (MDF) in partnership with the Union Sapari. The aim of the project is to expose sexist hate speech and gender stereotypes as well as gender-based campaigns against women politician and representatives of various public institutions. Within the framework of the project, Sapari... See More
The present report provides the results of monitoring conducted by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) ahead of the 2020 parliamentary elections. The monitoring was carried out on the cases of anti-Western messages and hate speech voiced by electoral subjects and political parties, as well as fake news and discrediting campaigns. The monitoring covered both mainstream and social media outlets, including regional media outlets and social accounts affiliated with political stakehold... See More
This needs assessment survey was conducted within the framework of the project "Prevention of and Responding to Radicalizing Narratives in Georgia” implemented by the MDF with the assistance from Hedayah International Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism. The aim of the survey was to identify problems in reporting and accessing information about terrorist acts, violent extremism and other crises as well as to draw up recommendations based on the findings. The survey envisaged t... See More
The present report on financial transparency of the media includes data from 2019. The Media Development Foundation (MDF) releases its reports on financial transparency of the media annually to explore, on the one hand, declared revenues of broadcast media and on the other, the practice of allocating budgetary funds for advertising and dissemination of information in media outlets. The introductory part of the report discusses key findings of the study and regulations; its first part revi... See More
Media Market Risk Ratings: Georgia is a new research by Global Disinformation Index (GDI) and Media Development Foundation (MDF) based on analysis of 24 Georgian-language media sites conducted between April and July 2020. The study is based on a disinformation risk scoring methodology, which the GDI has developed. Georgia is one of 10 countries that has been assessed using this methodology in 2020. Author: Tamar Kintsurashvili and Sophie Gelava - Media Development ... See More
This report reflects the results of media monitoring conducted in a period between 1 January and 31 December 2019. The objective of the study was to identify various forms and sources of hate speech in media and public discourse as well as to analyze main trends. Apart from media outlets, the monitoring also focused on other sources – politicians, clergy, civil society organizations and individual members of society. The introductory part of the report presents the key findings... See More
The Media Development Foundation in the pre-election period is conducting the monitoring of hate speech, anti-Western comments and disinformation in regional and social media. To this end, monitoring of traditional media outlets (TV, Online) and Facebook pages and groups of Adjara, Imereti, Samegrelo, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli and Kvemo Kartli regions is being conducted. Link: Election Watch - Regional media monitoring - 6-19 July _____________________ T... See More
The fifth annual report on anti-western propaganda reflects the results of media monitoring and fake news debunking in 2019. The monitoring report, which traditionally focuses on detecting anti-western messages, observing the process of their framing as well as shifting narratives over time, also identifies sources of these messages and verifies them when they contain fake information. Monitoring is conducted on media outlets as well as other sources – political class, clerics, public o... See More
Author: Jean-Paul Marthoz Editor: Mirta Lourenço Assistant: Tim Francis Cover photograph: © Aija Lehtonen / Shutterstock, Inc. Link: Terrorism and the Media - A Handbook for Journalists _____________________ Published in 2017 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France © UNESCO 2017 ISBN 978-92-3-100199-4 ... See More
The report "Georgia’s Implementation of 20 Eastern Partnership Deliverables for 2020” is prepared in the framework of the project "Assessing Georgia’s progress in 20 EaP Deliverables for 2020”, implemented by the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP), in partnership with the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Georgia. Fourteen Georgian civil society organizations contributed to writing the... See More
This report has been produced with information provided by participating organisations within the OIP COVID-19 Working Group (CWG). Each organisation provides monitoring and analysis of evolving and emerging disinformation and misinformation regarding COVID-19. Additional insight and research have been provided by OIP partners, including Zinc Network and Bellingcat. Link: COVID 19 MONITORING AND ANALYSIS 15.04 Link: COVID 19 MONITORING AND AN... See More
This report follows a year of cooperation between civil society organizations (CSO) and think-tanks from Central Europe and the Eastern Neighborhood (EN). It is one part of the Project on Enhancing and Sharing Lessons Learnt in Resilience and Self-Protection, which evaluates the capability of civil society in Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova to use guidance from the European Values Center for Security Policy (EVC) in operational security and exposing illegitimate methods of influence. Here, we adap... See More
The Parliament’s November 14 decision to vote down the constitutional amendment on transition to fully proportional electoral system from 2020 triggered large-scale protests outside the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue. On November 18, the Georgian government used riot police to disperse the peaceful protest rally. Protests resumed outside the Parliament building on November 25 and at dawn on November 26, police again dispersed the protesters using water cannons. From November 14 ... See More
Anecdotal evidence is evidence collected in an informal manner and relying heavily on personal experience 1 . There is a big difference between anecdotal evidence and scientific evidence. Scientific evidence is based on findings from systematic observations, measurement and experimentation and any person can independently verify or confirm it using the scientific method. Anecdotal evidence proves based on personal experience and isolated examples whether this or that development ... See More
The Media Development Foundation (MDF) releases annual reports to explore the financial media environment – sources of media financing, including the practice of allocating budgetary funds for advertising and dissemination of information in media outlets. The present report rests on the desk research, among them documents available in an electronic database of the State Procurement Agency and the National Communications Commission, also additional data requested from public agenci... See More
Since 2015, the Media Development Foundation (MDF) has been publishing annual reports on hate speech. This report reflects the results of media monitoring and the data obtained through focus groups that were conducted between 1 January and 31 December 2018. The objective of the study was to reveal various forms of hate speech and sources of hate speech in media and public discourse as well as to analyze main trends. Apart from media outlets, the monitoring also focused on other sour... See More
The appearance of Russian State Duma MP from the Communist Party, Sergei Gavrilov in the Georgian Parliament Speaker’s seat during the session of the Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) on June 20, 2019 sparked protest among the parliamentary opposition and Georgian citizens, who started gathering outside the Parliament building. The anti-occupation rally dubbed "It’s a Shame!” has acquired a permanent nature after police violently dispersed the protesters on the first day of protest... See More
Media Development Foundation, MDF, has been studying anti-Western propaganda issues in Georgian media since 2014. This report is the analysis of the results of a-year-long monitoring conducted by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) throughout 2018. The monitoring is aimed at studying the typology of anti-Western messages, fake news and their sources in the Georgian media. The subjects of monitoring were media outlets as well as other sources – politicians, clergy, civil organizations and repr... See More
The aim of this research is to examine the actions of the Russian soft power in Georgia and the information about the actors involved in this process. The research was carried out using open sources and is mainly based on studying the website of the Russkiy Mir Foundation (Russian World Foundation, Фонд «Русский мир») which was created by the decree of the president of the Russian Federation, as well as open source information about the organizations mentioned in the list of partners of R... See More
Public protest in Georgia’s mountainous Pankisi gorge over construction of Khadori 3 hydroelectric power plant grew into clashes between locals and the riot police on April 21. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets against the protesters, while locals threw stones at them. Several dozen people, including police officers and locals sustained injuries. Police cars were damaged and the construction machinery burned down. Several trolls1 have emerged on Facebook, acting online without revealing a... See More
Material is available only in Georgian language ... See More
A troll is a person who acts online without revealing a true identity in order to obstruct healthy discussions between users on various websites, forums and social networks. Concealing a true identity is the main and most important characteristic of a troll. Trolls create fake online profiles, providing either no information about themselves, or false information, involving fake photos, contact information, information about education or workplace, hobbies and interests. The present report aims... See More
The aim of the study was to identify the level of awareness of Euro-Atlantic integration issues among citizens of the regions densely populated by ethnic minorities. Towards this end, main sources of information in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions were identified and messages of these media sources, fomenting anti-Western sentiments were studied. The study also analyzed the compliance of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) with its legal obligation to inform ethnic minoriti... See More
The Media Development Foundation (MDF) conducted a monitoring to identify a campaign as well as the sources of this campaign launched in social networks against TBC Bank. Amid an ongoing investigation into the TBC Bank case, the posts discrediting Mamuka Khazaradze, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of TBC Bank, started to appear on Facebook with the process being carried out in three waves. Note: After the publication of the report the troll identified by MDF as "Avtandil Keresel... See More
The present report provides the results of monitoring conducted by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) ahead of the 2018 presidential elections. The monitoring was carried out on the cases of hate speech and discrimination on various grounds expressed by electoral subjects and political parties, as well as hate speech used against presidential candidates and political parties. The report involves only the cases of discrimination on ethnic, religious, racial and gender grounds, as well as the ... See More
The report explores Russia’s corporate presence and influence in the media sectors of five Black Sea countries (Bulgaria, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and Armenia) by providing deeper understanding of the links between media ownership and anti-Western propaganda and disinformation. Corruption networks and soft media power have allowed Russia to benefit from inherent governance deficits in these Black Sea countries to infiltrate businesses, and to shape political narratives and environments in the ... See More
In partnership with the United Nations Association of Georgia (UNAG) and with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Media Development Foundation (MDF) participates in the implementation of the Promoting Integration, Tolerance and Awareness (PITA) Program. Within the framework of the program, Media Development Foundation (MDF) conducts media monitoring with the aim to reveal hate speech and its sources in media and public discourse. ... See More
This report is the analysis of the results of a-year-long monitoring conducted by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) throughout 2017. The monitoring aimed at studying the typology of anti-Western messages and fake news in the Georgian media. The subjects of monitoring were media outlets as well as other sources – politicians, clergy, civil organizations and representatives of society. The MDF conducted similar studies in 2016 and 2014-2015 too. The study has been carried out in partnershi... See More
The intent behind the present study is to explore the financial revenues of media organizations as well as to probe the practice of allocating public funds for advertisement and dissemination of information in media outlets. The study mainly rests on the analysis of documents which included documentation accessible in the electronic database of state procurement agency and the National Communications Commission, also additional data requested from public entities and information available in the... See More
This survey was commissioned by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) to the Georgian Institutional Development Center (GIDC) within the framework of the project "Research on Needs and Information Sources of Muslim Youth Community.” The project is supported by Hedayah - International Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism. The survey was conducted among youth aged between 16 and 29 in Kvemo Kartli, Upper Adjara and the Pankisi Gorge. It was carried out in April-May 2017 and cov... See More
The report reflects the media monitoring findings conducted by the Media Development Foundation (MDF). The goal of the media monitoring was to study the factors conducive to radicalization of Muslim youth and explore the role of media in this process. The target of media monitoring was the Georgian, Russian, Azerbaijani and Turkish media named by the young Muslims as the information sources during the survey commissioned by MDF. The report highlights the methodolog... See More
The present report provides the results of focus groups conducted by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) in September 2017. The study aimed at analyzing the attitudes of Muslim youth towards media coverage of Muslim issues. Media content for the study was selected from the results of Georgian and Russian media monitoring conducted by the MDF in a period between June 15, 2017 and September 15, 2017. Archival materials were also used in some cases. Professional standards of media coverage a... See More
The intent behind the present study is to explore the financial revenues of media organizations as well as to probe the practice of allocating public funds for advertisement and dissemination of information in media outlets. The report is based on desk research of official information received from public institutions upon request, on accessible electronic data available at the web-portal of Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) and State Procurement Agency's database, as well a... See More
The present report provides the results of media monitoring carried out by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) and seven Youth Centers of the UN Association’s PITA program ahead of the October 2017 municipal elections. The monitoring was carried out on the cases of hate speech, xenophobic expressions and anti-Western statements disseminated by political subjects and media outlets. Considering the peculiarities of municipal elections, besides national televisions, newspapers and online... See More
The leader of movement Nationals (Erovnulebi) announced the Georgian March on the Aghmashenebeli Avenue on 14 July, to voice their protest against illegal foreigners. Under illegal foreigners, the organizers of the march meant representatives of concrete nationalities – Iranians, Arabs, Africans and others and called on them to leave the territory of Georgia. Organizers of the march also demanded the toughening of immigration law. They tried to mobilize public via social media. The Media De... See More
Современные технологии существенно расширили доступ к информации и возможности распространения информации, вследствие чего медиа-среда стала более плюралистической. Однако возможности социальной медиа часто используются с целью дезинформации и пропаганды, что вводит в заблуждение пользователей медиа. Настоящий Путеводитель был подготовлен Фондом развития медиа в рамках Программы медиа-грамотности, в формате «Детектора мифов», на основании опыта перепроверки ложной информации. Целью публикации... See More
Kremlin Influence Index is a quantitative tool, designed by the group of think tanks from Eastern and Central Europe to measure the ability of the government of Russian Federation to influence on information space of other countries to achieve its goals. This Report contains the results of pilot measurement of the Index in Ukraine, Georgia, Hungary and Czech Republic. Dedicated to experts on psychological security, public officials, media experts, journalists, stratcom units and other s... See More
This study presents the analysis of media monitoring carried out by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) during 2016. It reviews anti-Western messages and disinformation disseminated by Georgian media outlets and other sources – politicians, clergy, civil organizations and representatives of society. The MDF conducted a similar study in 2014-2015. The study has been carried out in partnership with UN Association of Georgia within the framework of USAID’s Promoting Integration, ... See More
The intent behind the present study is to explore the financial revenues of media organizations as well as to probe the practice of allocating public funds for advertisement and dissamination of information in media outlets. The report is based on desk research of official information received from public institutions upon request, on accessible electronic data available at the web-portal of Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) and State Procurement Agency's database, as we... See More
This monitoring report reflects the practice of responding by the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) and courts to violations of the legislative requirements for the coverage of public opinion polls in the period preceding the 2016 parliamentary elections. The monitoring rests on the analysis of documents which include materials requested from the GNCC and the pre-election media monitoring reports of Media Development Foundation (MDF) which, inter alia, analyses the co... See More
Media Development Foundation (MDF) is conducting a pre-election media monitoring from April 1 to October 15, 2016. The monitoring is carried out with the financial support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Georgia within the frame of the project Transparent and Accountable Media for Enhancing Democratic Practices during Elections. The aim of the project is to study how political subjects are represented in qualitative and quantitative terms in primetime news programs of TV c... See More
In partnership with the United Nations Association of Georgia (UNAG) and with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Media Development Foundation (MDF) participates in implementing the Promoting Integration, Tolerance and Awareness (PITA) Program. Within the framework of the program, Media Development Foundation (MDF) implements a media component, which involves monitoring of hate speech in media and public space and reacting on possible ... See More
Media Development Foundation (MDF) is conducting a pre-election media monitoring from April 1 to October 15, 2016. The monitoring is carried out with the financial support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Georgia within the frame of the project Transparent and Accountable Media for Enhancing Democratic Practices during Elections. The methodology for MDF’s monitoring was developed by Dominique Thierry, consultant of Free Press Unlimited (FPU) . The report was re... See More
Interference with Journalists’ professional duties is punishable under the article 154 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, namely: "1. Unlawful interference with the journalists' professional activities, i.e. coercing a journalist into disseminating or not disseminating information, - shall be punished by a fine or community service from 120 to 140 or with corrective labour for up to two years. 2. The same act committed using threat of violence or official position, - shall be punish... See More
With the support of the National Endowment for Democracy, NED, the Media Development Foundation (MDF) publishes periodic reports on media freedom in Georgia. This report overviews pre-election media environment for the period of 2016. Reports rest on the analysis of documents, official information requested from public entities and media reports. This report consists of six chapters covering the following topics: the first chapter overviews legislative amendments proposed in 2016; the... See More
Media Development Foundation (MDF) is conducting a pre-election media monitoring from April 1 to October 31, 2016. The monitoring is carried out with the financial support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Georgia within the frame of the project Transparent and Accountable Media for Enhancing Democratic Practices during Elections. The aim of the project is to study how political subjects are represented in qualitative and quantitative terms in primetime news programs ... See More
The aim of this survey is to study, ahead of the elections, the needs of political parties and other actors in the efficient use of media as a tool of communication with electorate in the electoral process. Surveying attitudes of election subjects towards media, identifying their attitudes and needs and drawing up recommendations on the basis of the results of the survey will contribute to improved access to media for political subjects and ultimately, informed choice of voters. Publica... See More
The goal of the present research is to study the practice and procedures of allocation of public funds to media outlets for the purpose of advertising and information support. The research also involves the findings of media monitoring aimed to demonstrate what type of information is financed from the budget and whether budgetary funds have an influence on media content; how much the standards set by advertising legislation, code of conduct and professional ethics are observed. The research also... See More
On 6 September 2013, the Government of Georgia approved the Communication and Information Strategy of the Government of Georgia in the sphere of EU Integration for the period of 2014-2017. To ensure the implementation of activities specified in the strategy, the action plan is devised and adopted every year. This report aims to assess the communication strategy on EU integration issues, the implementation of objectives defined in the strategy, and the action plans, taking into account the int... See More
The survey report presents findings of the questionnaire survey among the youth in 13 cities of Georgia The survey has revealed that Georgia’s integration into the European Union is supported by 79% of youth that is much higher than the indicators of the NDI countrywide survey (61%). The report is divided into three section covering 1) socio-demographic component; 2) sources of information; 3) attitudes of youth towards and awareness of the process of European integration. The last se... See More
The report exposes the incidence of hate speech and xenophobia on Georgian media and public domain The analysis is articulated in different sections covering discrimination based on ethnic, national, sexual orientation and religious grounds, along with paragraphs devoted to the specific phenomena of Turkophobia, Islamophobia, and Armenophobia. The monitoring covers six newspapers, main news programs and talk shows of five TV channels, prime-time talk shows and six news and information web... See More
The report exposes the incidence of Homophobia and gender identity Stereotypes on Georgian media and public domain Publication Date: June 2015 Publisher: Media Development Foundation Research and Editorial Team: Tamar Khorbaladze, Tamar Kintsurashvili, Sopho Gogadze, TaTa Kapianidze, Tamuna Kandelaki Link: Homophobia and gender identity. Media Monitoring Report 2014-2015 ... See More
This report by Media Development Foundation Georgia focuses on anti-Western rhetoric in the country and the role of media sustaining this phenomenonThe experience in monitoring hate speech in Georgian media led to this report, focusing instead on anti-Western rhetoric, often applied in xenophobic and homophobic contexts. Such expressions are directed against open society and, as monitoring results show, they are also loaded with political connotations. It is precisely the politically active... See More
Link: Women’s Needs and GenderSensitivity of Election Programs of Political Manifestos, 2015 ... See More
The aim of the project, "Women of the Past – Example for the Future,” is to better inform society about female public figures of various epochs and based on historical examples, to promote the gender equality and highlight a special role of media in this process. In this regard, the Georgian media of the 19th and 20th centuries represent a valuable source of information. It provides the society with the opportunity to learn how the Georgian press covered activities of women and what women t... See More
link: Monitoring Hate Speech and Discrimination in Georgian Media, 2013 ... See More