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Media Development Foundation

MDF: Report of 2014

In 2014 Media Development Foundation (MDF) continued implementing activities aiming to support open and inclusive society and contribute to professional and institutional development of media.

On 2014 the Council of Religions of the Public Defender Office named Media Development Foundation (MDF) as the Supporters of Tolerance of the year at the traditional annual ceremony dedicated to the International Tolerance Day .

In 2014 Media Development Foundation implemented the following activities:

Along with the partner organizations Civil Society platform No to Phobia! was established with the purpose to eliminate expressions of all forms of discrimination and hate speech in public discourse.
Issued daily Weekly newsletter “No to Phobia!” depicting media monitoring findings on hate Speech and discrimination;

In partnership with NGOs and Religious organizations filed 7 complaints to the media self-regulatory bodies, in 3 cases discrimination facts were revealed, 1 was left without consideration, Georgia’s Public Broadcaster not recognized the fact of discrimination in one case, 2 cases are planned to be discussed in 2015.

Satisfied cases:

On December 16, Charter of Journalistic Ethics satisfied the complaint lodged by Tariel Nakaidze, Deputy Chairman of the Muslims Union against mediacity.ge. Media Development Foundation, MDF advocated the interests of Tariel Nakaidze in the Charter of Journalistic Ethics.

On 29 May, the self-regulatory body of Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company satisfied the complaint lodged by the Union of Muslims of Georgia, the Media Development Fund (MDF) and the Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI).

On 10 May, Charter of Journalistic Ethics upheld a complaint of Media Development Foundation (MDF) and Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI) vs. Rezonansi newspaper.

Not satisfied case:

The Board of Trustees did not satisfy the complaint lodged by Non-governmental Organizations on hate speech case on Public TV.

Unconsidered Cases:

The self-regulatory body of Kavkasia TV Channel did not consider the complaint filed by Azeri Students Association of Georgia "Gata", Media Development Foundation (MDF) and Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI) against the TV show Spektri on the fact of discrimination of Azeri citizens.

The cases initiated in 2014, which are scheduled to be discussed within the regulatory format in 2015:

MDF, GDI, TDI, and EMC filed a complaint with the self-regulatory agency of Rustavi 2 TV Company, against the program Nanuka’s Show.

The complaint of MDF, Georgian Muslims Union, EMC and TDI filed to Rustavi 2 self-regulation agency against the TV program ‘P.S.’.

The complaint of Relations of Muslims of Georgia, MDF and TDI to Imedi TV self-regulation agency against the program "From a Different Perspective".

Transparency of State budget:

MDF issued the preliminary results of a survey reflecting the monitoring of budget amounts spent on the release of information by online media in 2013-2014.

MDF filed an administrative complaint against the Ministry of Internal Affairs at Tbilisi City Court requesting release of the public information. The denials of public legal entities also were appealed in the ministries of Agriculture, Energy and Interior.

Myth Detector

With the aim to provide society with qualified information about Euro-Atlantic integration Myth Detector was created, which is available on the web page http://www.eurocommunicator.ge.

IMED 2014

For the first time Georgia joined International Media Ethics Day - IMED 2014, which took place in 50 countries. The event was held in partnership with MDF in Georgia.

Award of Tolerance 2014

Media Development Foundation - MDF, Ilia State University and United Nations Association of Georgia - UNAG have established an annual Award of Tolerance for media outlets, journalists and bloggers who contribute to the culture of tolerance and ensure ethical coverage of diversity issues.

Diversity School

Diversity School was established for students enrolled at the Universities through the quota system. School attendees underwent the course in civil journalism.

Special certificates and prizes were granted to 5 authors of the best media products, winners of the competition of the Diversity School.

Women for Change

With the aim of enhancing gender sensitivity in election programs of political parties the survey is conducting in 9 towns of Georgia. Analysis of gender sensitivity of the election programs of political parties will be released under the project.

My leader Woman

Blogger contest My leader Woman was conducted with the aim of enhancing the civic activism and revealing the local leader women. Contest revealed 10 leader women and the authors of the best 10 blogs.