The 15th South Caucasus Media Conference, a two-day annual meeting organized by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, concluded yesterday.
The conference, held in Tbilisi, gathered civil society, journalists, editors and government representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and international experts to discuss challenges to quality journalism in the region in the digital era. It was opened by the Representative together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani, the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, George Tsereteli, and a representative of the OSCE Italian Chairmanship, Antonino Maggiore.
“Quality journalism is more necessary than ever in the age of fake news and manipulation of information,” the Representative stated in his opening remarks. “But quality journalism is only possible when freedom of expression, media pluralism and the safety of journalists are respected. More efforts are still needed to ensure full respect for OSCE principles and commitments on media freedom throughout the region. No journalist should be imprisoned because of her or his reporting, nor should media be put under threat or closed because of dissenting views,” he said.
Desir noted that “the efforts by the media community in the South Caucasus to innovate online and offline and to face up to the spread of false news and propaganda, which affect the quality of information, is a valuable step forward. These efforts must be encouraged and supported by a legal and economic framework with no undue Internet restriction or political interference, and by strong and independent public broadcasters. Quality and pluralism of information is a key element and will shape the future of media in the region.”
The conference focused on many challenges faced by the media in the South Caucasus region. They include the digital transformation and its effects on traditional media and quality journalism, professional standards, fact-checking initiatives and self-regulation, media literacy, and countering hate speech and violent extremism while respecting freedom of the media.
“My Office stands ready to continue its constructive assistance to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia with policy recommendations on issues related to freedom of expression and media freedom,” Désir said.
On the occasion of the conference, the Representative met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia David Zalkaliani and with President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly George Tsereteli to enhance co-operation to support media freedom in Georgia and throughout the region.
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