First journalism forum meets, discusses current challenges

On December 24, a formal forum of Georgian journalists convened for the first time since modern independence.

More than 400 journalists from print and broadcast media outlets throughout the country attended the forum, together looking at the role of the Georgian media in civil society—and the challenges it now faces.

Leading journalists, media studies experts, analysts, lawyers and representatives from the government and private sector reported on issues the modern media is now confronting in Georgia.

Broad swaths of contentious topics were debated, including the rights and ethics of journalism; freedom of speech; state and media relations; business and the media; and the role of the public broadcaster.