The Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Georgian Central Election Commission and the Supreme Election Commission of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara, organised a conference on “Media Development and new approaches in covering electoral processes” which took place on 15-16 June 2023, in Batumi, Ajara region.
The overall objective of the conference was to facilitate dialogue between the Election Administration of Georgia and the representatives of media outlets, this time - from various regions of Georgia and to further support the platform of effective communication. At the conference, journalists, news reporters, heads of political TV shows, and managers of the editorial units – discussed issues related to media development, challenges as well as solutions to cover elections in digital times.
Markus Adelsbach, Head of the Council of Europe’s Elections and Participatory Democracy Division, Giorgi Sharabidze, Deputy Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Georgia, Parmen Jalaghonia, Chairperson of the Supreme Election Commission of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara delivered opening remarks. Speakers underlined the importance of continuous dialogue between election officials and media outlet representatives to ensure transparency and enhance public trust in electoral processes. Among others, emphasis was put on the importance of the enforcement of the Council of Europe’s legal and policy instruments in the field of Information Technology and elections.
Participants discussed novelties of domestic electoral legal framework and practices, including new information technology in elections and analysed findings of the conducted pilot projects, for instance the – recent elections in Georgia carried out with the use of electronic means. They also focused on challenges of digital times and steps forward in the context of upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections. Council of Europe instruments and good practices in the field, artificial intelligence, social media and its impact on the integrity of elections, countering disinformation and hybrid threats, safety of journalists were among the subjects of lively discussions at the working sessions.
Participants agreed on the importance of continuous dialogue between the election administration and the media to secure conduct of democratic elections. In addition, emphasis was made on the role of regional media in raising awareness of voters on new electoral practices, including in regions settled with ethnic and national minorities.
The conference was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe Project “Supporting Transparency, Inclusiveness and Integrity of Electoral Practice and Process in Georgia”.
