REQUESTED SPEAKER ON MEDIA ETHICS IN A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN

UNCLAS TBILISI 002973

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IIP/EUR FOR TANIA CHOMIAK-SALVI, IIP/S FOR LAWRENCE SCHWARTZ

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO GG
SUBJECT: REQUESTED SPEAKER ON MEDIA ETHICS IN A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN

REF: A) STATE 151480


1. Summary: Embassy Tbilisi requests a rapid response speaker
program for a program on journalistic ethics in covering elections.
This program should last 7-9 days and take place in December 2007,
before the January 5, 2008 snap Presidential elections. Post
requests George Krimsky of the ICFJ, or a similar speaker. The
audience will be working broadcast editors, producers and
journalists. End Summary.


2. Program Description: On November 8, 2007 (in the wake of
demonstrations) a snap Presidential election was announced for
January 5, 2008. This is expected to be a closely contested
election, in which the perceived bias of the media will be under
close scrutiny from all sides. Currently Georgia is considering
adopting a code of journalistic ethics. Embassy Tbilisi wants to
bring an experienced and well-known journalist such as George
Krimsky to Tbilisi and Batumi to teach television editors,
producers, and journalists about the ethical requirements of
election campaign reporting. Training sessions will be held in the
newsrooms of all five nationally broadcast channels. The program
would last 7-9 days.


3. Time Frame: December 2007, to be set according to the speaker's
availability.


4. Program Purpose: Journalism in Georgia is still not fully
developed and in recent months the issue of media bias has become
increasingly important. This program is intended to educate
journalists, and to give them an understanding of the ethical
standards common in the Euro-Atlantic community. In addition to
workshops in television newsrooms we will schedule lectures at the
Georgian Institute of Public Administration's School of Journalism
and at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International
Studies.


5. Audience: Working Television journalists, especially including
editors and producers.


6. Language Requirements: English, with translation into Georgian
provided. Alternatively, Russian could be used. FSA funds will be
used for interpretation.


7. Post Contact Information:
APAO Stephen A. Guice: phone +995-32-277449, mobile +995-99-504392,
fax +995-32-532319, email: Guicesa@state.gov
Information Assistant Nana Kiknadze: phone +995-32-277208, mobile
+995-99-540734, email Kiknadzen@state.gov


8. Funding source: FY 07/08 FSA speaker funds.

TEFFT