Activity Details (ID# 4465)

Activity Synopsis

The participants in the first workshop on self-regulatory mechanisms in Georgia (Tbilisi, 13 December 2002) had agreed to elaborate a Code of Ethics for Georgia. The objectives of this activity were firstly to provide comments on the draft Code prepared following the aboveworkshop and suggest possible amendments before its possible adopting, and secondly, to discuss the question of the implementation of the Code, and particularly the possible setting-up of a Press Council in Georgia. 

The activity was well organised. The meeting room chosen for the first day of the workshop was appropriate for the discussions which took place. The simultaneous interpretation was very professional and enabled a very stimulating discussion between the participants and the consultants.

During the first day, the discussions focused on amending the draft Code of ethics in order to reach an agreement among the participants, so that it could be adopted. Some specific points, such as court reporting by the media or conflict of interests, were discussed in detail. It became clear that the different media representatives, despite some sharp divisions, mainly due to political reasons, largely agreed on the draft Code. This agreement in principle enabled the adoption of the Code at the end of the first day.

The second day of the workshop was dedicated to the future implementation of the adopted Code. A smaller group of media representatives were invited to take part in the discussions, during which the consultants suggested the structure of a future supervisory body (e.g. press council).

The media covered this activityvery widely. Interviews were given to several broadcasters and newspapers, including “24 Hours”, which dedicated a special page on this issue.

The participation of representatives of the Office of the Council of Europe as well as the presence of the SRSG were very welcomed by the participants.

Although no formal evaluation was carried out, it can be said, without hesitation, that the primary objective of the workshop was reached: the workshop gathered together most of the media representatives working in Georgia (both press and broadcast media) to agree on and sign a Code of Ethics for the profession.

The only negative feedback came from some participants, who unduly complained not to have been consulted in the drafting phase of the Code.



 

A Code of Ethics for the Georgian media was adopted and signed by media professionals representing the wide majority of the Georgian media spectrum.

The development of self-regulatory mechanisms in Georgia should be finalised during a follow-up Conference, which should endorse the creation of a Press Council in Georgia. The dates for this activity are not yet fixed, as a consensus has yet to be reached among the Georgian participants.
 

Media professionals (journalists, editors, owners), representatives of national and international NGOs, representatives of the European Commission and Embassies

 

Prof. Claude-Jean BERTRAND, Emeritus Professor, Paris University (France)
Mr Ronan BRADY, Freelance journalist, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) consultant
 

Mario OETHEIMER, Media Division, DG2 Human Rights