UN, EU Launch Georgian Media Monitoring Project

TBILISI – The European Union and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have launched a new round of media monitoring missions ahead of parliamentary elections in Georgia.

Three non-governmental organizations, Internews Georgia, Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics and Civic Development Institute (CDI) will observe more than 40 local online, print, broadcasting and radio outlets before the election take place on October 8.

EU ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman and UNDP Head Shombi Sharp on Friday announced the start of a new media monitoring exercise at a press conference.

“With parliamentary elections ahead, we once again underline the crucial importance of high-quality free media and reporting. We are proud to support credible, professional media monitoring which will allow for open dialogue about the role of the press and their contribution to free and fair elections in Georgia.” Herman said.

The 2016 election media monitoring continues a series of media monitoring rounds supported by the European Union and UNDP since 2010.

“I strongly believe that media monitoring will assist Georgian journalists in performing their duties during the elections and promote an open public discussion about the media and its role in a democratic society,” Sharp said.

The monitoring operations will begin in May and last until November, a month after the elections take place.

All reports will be available online at: www.MediaMonitor.ge and Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MediaMonitor.ge

By Tamar Svanidze

Edited by Nicholas Waller