Georgian Media
Encyclopedia
The Media in Georgia is relatively accessible and caters to a wide variety of audiences. A large percentage of households have a television
, and most have at least one radio
. The large majority of Georgia’s media companies (including television, newspaper and radio) are headquartered in Tbilisi.
. The service broadcasts on free-to-air
television and radio.
which gained considerable fame after its coverage of the Rose Revolution
. The station currently reaches around 84% of the country's population, as well as Europe, the European part of Russia and the Middle East via satellite. The station was long seen as a thorn in the side of the Eduard Shevardnadze
government, frequently reporting on corruption and human rights abuses. In 2001 a security police raid on Rustavi 2 resulted in mass street demonstrations against governments pressure - causing Eduard Shevardnadze to fire his entire cabinet.
The largest competitor to Rustavi 2 comes in the form of Imedi TV
. Rustavi 2 is regarded as a mouthpiece of the Saakashvili
government
; for example, Rustavi had exclusive access to interview Georgian troops in Iraq. By contrast, Imedi TV has found an increasingly independent voice. The station was the first to break the investigation into Sandro Girgvliani's murder, allegedly arousing anger amongst the President's administration. The station is owned in part by Badri Patarkatsishvili
, a media tycoon, and Rupert Murdoch
's News Corporation
. A preliminary agreement on the purchase of Imedi Holding’s shares was signed in New York
on April 28, details of which remain confidential.
Last reports says that rating of Imedi TV is higher than Rustavi 2.
The final national player is Mze
which was purchased by Rustavi 2 in late 2005. The channel has suffered poor ratings, and is largely expected to be turned into an entertainment network. Its widely reported that TV Station is controlled by the Government. The rest of Mze is owned by David Bejuashvili, oriented Georgian MP, brother of Gela Bejuashvili who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, formerly the Intelligence Chief.
Most of these are based in Tbilisi, which is home to a number of newspaper publishing houses. Some of the most noteworthy Georgian newspapers include the daily 24 Saati (24 Hours), Rezonansi (Resonance), Alia
, Akhali Taoba, and English-language newspapers Georgian Messenger, The FINANCIAL
(weekly), Georgia Today (weekly), The Georgian Times (weekly).
in 2005, Georgia is in 89th position on a list of countries ranked by Press Freedom; behind Moldova
(85th) and Mongolia
(86th) - both countries deemed to be in transition to Democracy
from Communism
. This ranking is primarily due to the limited diversity in media ownership, and self-censorship. However concerns over governmental censorship have emerged.
During the Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case
the influential media tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili
, owner of Imedi, stated that the Georgian authorities were mounting pressure on his station and other businesses after it had broadcast details of the scandal. "It is no secret that Imedi television was the first one which reported the circumstances of Sandro Girgvliani’s murder...this alone became a reason for the authorities’ dissatisfaction, which triggered the financial authorities to actively launch a probe into my businesses and my companies so [as] to force me to mount pressure against [my] journalists..and facilitate the creation of a favorable image of the authorities," Badri Patarkatsishvili went on to say that he would never yield to pressure from the authorities.
In addition, on July 6 Eka Khoperia, an anchor with Rustavi 2, announced during her live program that she was resigning, after refusing to follow instructions from the authorities.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, and most have at least one radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
. The large majority of Georgia’s media companies (including television, newspaper and radio) are headquartered in Tbilisi.
Public broadcaster
There is one media outlet which is publicly funded: the Public Broadcasting ChannelGeorgian Public Broadcasting
Georgian Public Broadcasting is the national public broadcaster of Georgia. It started broadcasting radio in 1925, and Georgian TV started broadcasting in 1956. Today, 85% of the Georgian population receive the First Channel , and 55% receive the Second Channel...
. The service broadcasts on free-to-air
Free-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
television and radio.
Television
One of the most popular networks is Rustavi 2Rustavi 2
Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company , better known as Rustavi 2, is the most successful private television broadcasting company in Georgia. The Rustavi, based in Tbilisi, was founded in 1994 in the town of Rustavi. It is a privately owned free to air terrestrial broadcaster that currently reaches around...
which gained considerable fame after its coverage of the Rose Revolution
Rose Revolution
The "Revolution of Roses" was a change of power in Georgia in November 2003, which took place after having widespread protests over the disputed parliamentary elections...
. The station currently reaches around 84% of the country's population, as well as Europe, the European part of Russia and the Middle East via satellite. The station was long seen as a thorn in the side of the Eduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze is a former Soviet, and later, Georgian statesman from the height to the end of the Cold War. He served as President of Georgia from 1995 to 2003, and as First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party , from 1972 to 1985. Shevardnadze was responsible for many top decisions on...
government, frequently reporting on corruption and human rights abuses. In 2001 a security police raid on Rustavi 2 resulted in mass street demonstrations against governments pressure - causing Eduard Shevardnadze to fire his entire cabinet.
The largest competitor to Rustavi 2 comes in the form of Imedi TV
Imedi Media Holding
Imedi Media Holding is a private television and Radio Company in Georgia. The stations were formerly owned in part by the late Georgian media tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili, and Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation.-History:...
. Rustavi 2 is regarded as a mouthpiece of the Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003...
government
Cabinet of Georgia
The Cabinet of Georgia is an executive council of government ministers in Georgia. It is headed by the Prime Minister of Georgia. In the cases of utmost importance, the meetings may be led by the President of Georgia . The first Cabinet of Georgia was formed by Noe Zhordania in the Democratic...
; for example, Rustavi had exclusive access to interview Georgian troops in Iraq. By contrast, Imedi TV has found an increasingly independent voice. The station was the first to break the investigation into Sandro Girgvliani's murder, allegedly arousing anger amongst the President's administration. The station is owned in part by Badri Patarkatsishvili
Badri Patarkatsishvili
Arkady "Badri" Patarkatsishvili was a wealthy Georgian businessman, who was also extensively involved in politics. He contested the 2008 Georgian presidential election and came third with 7.1% of the votes...
, a media tycoon, and Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
's News Corporation
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
. A preliminary agreement on the purchase of Imedi Holding’s shares was signed in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on April 28, details of which remain confidential.
Last reports says that rating of Imedi TV is higher than Rustavi 2.
The final national player is Mze
Mže
The Mže is a 107 km long river in the Czech Republic. Its source is situated in the Griesbach Forest , Germany, near the village of Asch, in the municipality of Mähring, Tirschenreuth district. It forms the state boundary on the short distance of 3 kilometers and then finally enters the Czech...
which was purchased by Rustavi 2 in late 2005. The channel has suffered poor ratings, and is largely expected to be turned into an entertainment network. Its widely reported that TV Station is controlled by the Government. The rest of Mze is owned by David Bejuashvili, oriented Georgian MP, brother of Gela Bejuashvili who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, formerly the Intelligence Chief.
Press
Whilst the authorities finance some publications, there are some 200 privately owned newspapers.Most of these are based in Tbilisi, which is home to a number of newspaper publishing houses. Some of the most noteworthy Georgian newspapers include the daily 24 Saati (24 Hours), Rezonansi (Resonance), Alia
Alía
Alía is a municipality located in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. According to the 2003 census , the municipality has a population of 1263 inhabitants.Javier Saviola's grandfathers are from Alía.-Villages:* Cíjara* Puerto Rey* La Calera...
, Akhali Taoba, and English-language newspapers Georgian Messenger, The FINANCIAL
FINANCIAL
FINANCIAL is the weekly English-language newspaper with offices in Tbilisi, Georgia and Kiev, Ukraine. Published by Intelligence Group LLC, FINANCIAL is focused on opinion leaders and top business decision-makers; It's about world’s largest companies, investing, careers, and small business. It is...
(weekly), Georgia Today (weekly), The Georgian Times (weekly).
Radio
Out of the city’s radio stations Imedi Radio (105.9FM), Fortuna, and Radio 105 are some of the more influential competitors with large national audiences. Imedi mainly concentrates on news and analytical coverage but broadcasts pop music as well, particularly at night-time.Censorship And Freedom
According to Reporters Without BordersReporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
in 2005, Georgia is in 89th position on a list of countries ranked by Press Freedom; behind Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
(85th) and Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
(86th) - both countries deemed to be in transition to Democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
from Communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
. This ranking is primarily due to the limited diversity in media ownership, and self-censorship. However concerns over governmental censorship have emerged.
During the Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case
Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case
The Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case is one of the most notorious criminal cases in the modern history of Georgia. The killing, and the events as a result of it, have generated heavy criticism of the current government, particularly the interior minister, and the extent to which reformist President...
the influential media tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili
Badri Patarkatsishvili
Arkady "Badri" Patarkatsishvili was a wealthy Georgian businessman, who was also extensively involved in politics. He contested the 2008 Georgian presidential election and came third with 7.1% of the votes...
, owner of Imedi, stated that the Georgian authorities were mounting pressure on his station and other businesses after it had broadcast details of the scandal. "It is no secret that Imedi television was the first one which reported the circumstances of Sandro Girgvliani’s murder...this alone became a reason for the authorities’ dissatisfaction, which triggered the financial authorities to actively launch a probe into my businesses and my companies so [as] to force me to mount pressure against [my] journalists..and facilitate the creation of a favorable image of the authorities," Badri Patarkatsishvili went on to say that he would never yield to pressure from the authorities.
In addition, on July 6 Eka Khoperia, an anchor with Rustavi 2, announced during her live program that she was resigning, after refusing to follow instructions from the authorities.
External links
- Georgian media
- Public Broadcasting Channel
- Rustavi 2
- Imedi TV
- 24 Saati
- IMEDINEWS.GE - Imedi News Portal
- Radiomap.eu/Ge - Radio stations in Tbilisi