International Forum “Media and Democracy Resilience versus Corruption”

International Forum “Media and Democracy Resilience versus Corruption”

Date: 18.05.2023

Time: 10:30 – 16:30 (GMT+4)

Location: Republic (address: 6, First Republic Square, Tbilisi).

Working language: Georgian and English (Simultaneous Translation provided)

Intl Forum Georgia

10:00-10:30 – Welcome Coffee and Registration

10:30-10:50 – Welcome Speech

  • Eka Gigauri, Transparency International – Georgia, Executive Director;
  • Mariam Gersamia, Transparency International – Georgia, Media Project Manager, Professor at Tbilisi State University

10:50 -11:20 – Keynote Speaker Laxman Datt Pant, Co-Chair of consultative network at “Media Freedom Coalition”, Chairperson at “Media Action Nepal”

11:20-12:30 – I Discussion Panel: Investigative journalism VS corruption 

Moderator: Giorgi Mgeladze, Investigative journalist at Radio Freedom

Panelists:

  • Nino Zuriashvili, Studio “Monitor”, Chairperson and editor;
  • Manana Gogoberidze, Editor at Union of Investigative Journalists “ifact”;
  • Nodar Meladze, Broadcasting company “TV Pirveli”, news director, Author of the program “Saturday with Nodar Meladze”;
  • Maia Toradze, Chairwoman of “Media Voice”, associated professor at Tbilisi State University.

12:30-13:00 – Q&A

13:00-14:00 – Lunch

14:00-15:15 – II Discussion Panel: The Challenges in the Media Environment: Interference with Journalistic Activities and Inadequate Investigations

Moderator: Mariam Gersamia, Transparency International – Georgia, Media Project Manager, Professor at Tbilisi State University

Panelists:

  • Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director at Free Press Unlimited;
  • Tom Law, Global Forum for Media Development, Deputy Director;
  • Nino Robakidze, IREX – Georgia, Country Director, SAFE Initiative program;
  • Khatia Jinjikhadze, Deputy Director and Media Program Manager at “Open Society – Georgia”;
  • Sopo Liluashvili, special guest (spouse of Nika Gvaramia – Founder of “Mtavari Channel”, imprisoned in 2022).

15:15 – 15:30 – Q&A

 15:30-16:30 – III Discussion panel: Freedom of Expression and Case Law against journalists

Moderator: Mamuka Andguladze, Media Advocacy Coalition (Georgia)

Panelists:

  • Teona Zakarashvili, Senior lawyer at “Transparency International – Georgia”;
  • Edward Marikashvili, Chair at Georgian Democracy Initiative;
  • Zura Vardiashvili, Director at online platform “Publika”;
  • David Kashiashvili, Host of the program “Formula on Saturday” at broadcasting company “Formula”.

16:30 – 16:45 – Q&A, Summery