South Caucasus Media Conference concludes in Tbilisi, OSCE Representative Désir met with President Zourabichvili, calls for strengthening media freedom

VIENNA, 12 October 2019 – The 16th South Caucasus Media Conference organized by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, was held on 9 and 10 October in Tbilisi, Georgia.

During the two-day conference, journalists and representatives from the media and NGOs, state representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as international experts, discussed the latest media freedom developments in the region, the safety of journalists and the impact of digitalisation on news creation and the sustainability of media. The participants also debated the issue of disinformation and fake news, as well as the role of journalism in the digital age to promote access to quality and reliable information.

The Representative highlighted that digital technologies have made significant contributions to expanding the access to information and the possibilities for citizens to make  their voices heard. It provided unprecedented opportunities for creating and distributing content and enhancing diversity in the media.

“However, the dynamic growth of the Internet, including in the region, has also revealed worrying trends of manipulation of information, incitement to hatred and dissemination of violent content. Like elsewhere, this is a reality we are facing in the South Caucasus. We must work together with media actors, journalists' associations, Internet platforms and the States' authorities on responses that do not impede on the principles of freedom of expression and free use of the Internet. This is one of the most challenging issues of our time for the future of democracy. We must in particular give more support to self-regulation mechanisms, fact-checking initiatives, the role of independent public service media, and media literacy,” the Representative said.

Désir also stressed the importance of the general media freedom environment and the respect for media diversity. “The political context may vary from one country to another, but it remains challenging for the media as they are always at the centre of any political change in the region,” he said. “On several occasions during the past year, I had to intervene with the States’ authorities about different cases and alarming situations that infringed on the rights of reporters and the ability of media outlets to exercise their profession and activities freely. I am concerned by the fact that there are still imprisoned journalists in the region and even more who are prosecuted and could face heavy penalties because of their media activities,” said Désir.

Following the conference, a new set of recommendations will be presented by the Representative to the 57 OSCE participating States, providing guidelines to support media pluralism, the safety of journalists and legal frameworks in the region.

During his visit in Tbilisi, the Representative met with the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani and the First Vice Chair of the Parliament, Tamar Chugoshvili to discuss the latest media freedom developments in the country and areas in which his Office can provide assistance. He also met with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, George Tsereteli.

During his meeting with the President of Georgia, Désir praised Georgia’s progress on free expression and free media. He called on the authorities to preserve these achievements by keeping them high on the government’s agenda, to ensure media pluralism and the safety of journalists.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments.Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom