M-TAG Annual Report

Implemented by IREX in partnership with local organizations Ethics Charter and Innova, the program's goal is achieved through coordinated activities in support of three objectives: journalists demonstrating accurate and ethical reporting on public interest issues, regional media outlets demonstrating improved financial viability and transparency, and increased access to balanced and relevant information in the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The reporting period, from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, was marked by turbulent political developments and the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The parliamentary elections on October 31, 2020, and the lead-up to municipal elections on October 2, 2021, were significant events. In February, Prime Minister Giorgi Gvakharia was replaced by Irakli Garibashvili, who returned to the post after a five-year break, tipping the balance of power in the Georgian Dream government in favor of hardliners. The COVID-19 pandemic spiraled in Georgia from August 2020, with Adjara becoming a hotspot due to large gatherings during pre-election campaigns. By the end of November, Georgia became the world leader in confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants. To control the situation, the government introduced restrictions, including a general curfew, travel restrictions, and the closure of non-essential businesses. While the epidemiological situation improved towards the end of January, it deteriorated again at the end of March, following the relaxation of COVID-19 safety rules and lack of enforcement of safety protocols. Georgia received its first batch of AstraZeneca/Oxford and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines through COVAX in March. The vaccination effort was initially hindered by a case of anaphylactic shock in a young nurse after being vaccinated with the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine was made available to all citizens over 18 in April, and a mass vaccination effort started in July after Georgia received a million doses of the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines. People in Georgia were given access to the vaccine of their choice, regardless of age group. By the end of September, only 30% of Georgia's adult population was fully vaccinated. The parliamentary elections resulted in Georgian Dream securing 90 seats in total out of 150. Eight opposition parties did not recognize the outcome, alleging vote rigging and discrepancies in the final vote count. They boycotted the parliament, demanding electoral reform and a complete overhaul of the election administration. Georgian Dream refused to agree to these demands, and 51 opposition MPs decided to leave the parliament altogether. The talks between the Georgian Dream government and the opposition stalled in early December, and the opposition parties refused to participate in run-off elections.