Freedom House – Media Partly Free in Georgia

International organization Freedom House published a 2010 Report on Media Freedom throughout the world. In comparison with 2009, Georgia has promoted with 4 points and received 55 points in the rating together with Malawi and Moldova.

According to the report, media is only partly free in Georgia and it is very close to the limit beyond which media is not free in the countries.

In 2010, media was not free in 63 out of surveyed 196 countries – among them are Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. In 65 states the media is partly free; among them are Balkan states, Ukraine, Kirgizstan, Moldova and Georgia. According to the Freedom House Report, “unexpected progress” was observed in three of those countries. According to researchers, Moldova showed “important transparency” and in Georgia media developed as a result of “little positive steps.”

The researchers evaluate that 2010 survey showed “regrettable tendency” throughout the world. Negative trends emerged in democratic countries in regard with media freedom. Media has less opportunity to be free and independent in Hungary, Italy, Israel and India.

The most dangerous states for media are: Belarus, Turkmenistan, Iran, Burma, Cube, Equator Guinea, Eritrea, Libya and North Korea. According to the Freedom House, countries, In these states, independent media are either nonexistent or barely able to operate, the press acts as a mouthpiece for the regime, citizens’ access to unbiased information is severely limited, and dissent is crushed through imprisonment, torture, and other forms of repression.”

In general, the survey recorded a steady deterioration in media freedom for the last ten years, in every region of the world.

Parliamentary majority and minority have different opinions about the findings of the Freedom House Report about media freedom in Georgia.

Akaki Minashvili from the majority believes the Report proves that media is free in Georgia. Levan Vepkhvadze from the Christian-Democrat Movement blamed Minashvili in misunderstanding the report.

“You wrongly interpret the statement about Georgia in the report. The phrase, which you mentioned with regard to Georgia, is said about Moldova,” said Levan Vepkhvadze and clarified that according to the Report, “smaller positive steps in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan.”

Akaki Minashvili said at the parliamentary session today, the most important point is that according to the record, Georgia has achieved important progress and success in media freedom through the improvement of political and legal environment and balanced public broadcasting.

Interpresnews