News Archive

ALPE Foundation hosted a roundtable in Marneuli on March 23, 2007.

The event was organised within the framework of an ongoing project, “Promoting Education for Tolerance,” which is financed by the European Commission.

Those in attendance included:

Tamar Kintsurashvili, General Director of Georgian Public Broadcasting; Gigi Tevzadze, Head of I. Chavchavadze University and Chairman of the Media Council; Beka Mindiashvili, Head of Tolerance Centre within the Georgian Ombudsman’s Office; Koba Chopliani, Coordinator of Ethnic Minority Council.

Twenty five members of school Boards of Trustees, five school directors and five local journalists also attended.

ALPE experts kick started the meeting with two reports. One was on educational and language issues and how they relate to civil integration. The second was on ethnic/religious minority issues in relation to the media.    

The reports were then followed by  a lively and productive group discussion.

Tamar Kintsurashvili, the General Director of the Georgian Public Broadcasting, which is an associate partner in the project, emphasised the need for regular dialogue between the GPB and ethnic and religious minorities. This was needed, she said, to check the GPB’s vision against the realities on the ground. “Reflecting the needs and wishes of minorities in the programming priorities of the GPB,” she said, “is a recurring concern for us.”

Ms  Kintsurashvili also stressed the importance of streamlining minority issues into regular media reports. She proposed the establishment of Citizens’ Panels in Kvemo-Kartli to provide the dialogue necessary for such inclusive change.

As an initial step in this direction, Ms Kintsurashvili gave a commitment to provide short job placements in the GPB newsroom to regional minority reporters.

Gigi Tevzadze, Head of I. Chavchavadze University and Chairman of the Media Council, outlined the role the Media Council had to play in improving the way the media relates to and reports on minorities. He pointed out, however, that local communities needed to become more organised and engaged in the process if the Media Council were to fully realise its potential.

A number of concerns were raised by participants. The level of proficiency in the state language among minorities was commented upon. The GPB’s poor signal in Kvemo-Kartli was also brought up. Ms Kintsurashvili said that this technical problem was being dealt with and it was hoped that the signal would be greatly improved within the year.

Overall, the round table proved to be quite productive. Initial contacts were established and future plans for cooperation were laid. All were agreed that further round tables should be held.