M-TAG Annual Report

The program is implemented by IREX in partnership with local organizations Ethics Charter and Innova. The program's goal is achieved through a set of coordinated activities in support of three objectives: journalists demonstrate accurate and ethical reporting on public interest issues, regional media outlets demonstrate improved financial viability and transparency, and access to balanced and relevant information increases in the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The first three months of 2021 were marked by significant political developments in Georgia. The epidemiological situation improved in February, but then deteriorated again at the end of March following relaxation of COVID-19 safety rules and lack of enforcement. The country's Western allies followed the political crisis with deep concern, and post-election talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition were stalled in early December. The talks resumed after a visit by European Council President Charles Michel, who appointed Christian Danielsson to mediate the talks between the two sides. Georgia's economy continued to contract under strict lockdown conditions, with real GDP dropping by 6.2% in 2020. The country received 29,250 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on March 25 through the UN-backed vaccine-sharing program COVAX, and began administering the first shots to healthcare workers on March 15. However, the vaccination effort was derailed by a young nurse's death after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca in Akhaltsikhe, with anti-vaccination sentiments on the rise among medical personnel and the general population. The Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) was criticized by media watchdogs for its decision to regulate what falls under the realm of self-regulation, exceeding its mandate and creating a threat of censorship. The commission's actions were not consistent with the constitution and laws of Georgia. The incident of verbal and physical violence against Formula TV anchor Vakho Sanaia and his family members was a direct result of a hate campaign against critical media carried out by pro-government actors. On March 6, TV Pirveli aired audio conversations, apparently recorded covertly, in which the son of GD founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, rap-singer Bera Ivanishvili, seems to be tasking Anzor Chubinidze, head of the Special State Protection Service (SSPS), to humiliate and punish youngsters for online posts insulting the Ivanishvili family. The court gave a green light to the Prosecutor's Office to retrieve material evidence from TV Pirveli, prompting fears that the outlet will be raided. Media watchdogs and the Public Defender said that the court ruling contradicted norms of freedom of expression and source confidentiality established by Georgian and international laws, and sets a dangerous precedent.