Second preliminary report on media coverage of the 27 October presidential election

Tbilisi, 26 September 2013 - The Charter of Journalistic Ethics, an independent, non-profit professional journalist association that promotes the values of freedom and democracy, has been systematically monitoring the media coverage of the 27 October presidential election. This project is conducted in cooperation with the Slovak media-monitoring organization MEMO 98 and with the support of the Open Society Foundation Georgia (OSFG).

Following is the second preliminary report that includes the main monitoring findings covering three weeks of the official campaign period (16 September – 10 October):

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Monitored media continue to provide a generally balanced coverage of the campaign.

• Most media decreased their coverage of the government and increased coverage of political parties and candidates, focusing mainly on the Georgian Dream and the United National Movement.

• Davit Bakradze was the most presented candidate on GPB, Rustavi and Imedi whereas Giorgi Margvelashvili on Maestro and Adjara TV.

• News coverage of the campaign continues to focus on activities of candidates and parties rather than on issues. To date, monitored media have not provided analytical and in-depth coverage that could help voters to better analyze and assess the qualities and programmes of electoral contestants.

• Media continue to follow the principles outlined in the Code of Conduct for Elections, but there were a few instances where these principles were not fully respected.

Full report
Charts