Fast Facts Language: Georgian, Russian Established: 1953 Distribution: Radio (FM, UHF, Satellite, Shortwave), Internet (www.tavisupleba.org) Coverage: Three hours daily; one hour weekly on Georgian Public Television; one hour weekly (in Russian) to Abkhazia and South Ossetia on PIK Television Locations: Prague, Tbilisi Staff: 10 (Prague), 19 (Tbilisi), approx. 50 stringers (including those in breakaway regions)

Media Environment

• Freedom House Freedom of the Press Index, 2012: Partly Free (111th/197)
• Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, 2012: 104th/179
• The government continues its attempts to control news media and political tensions make journalists vulnerable to physical and verbal attacks.

Highlights

• The Radio Tavisupleba Media School opened in Tbilisi in April 2012. A joint effort of RFE/RL, USAID and IREX, the school and related externship program will give Georgian students hands-on training in multimedia production, digital media, and editorial policy, with the best of their work showcased on Radio Tavisupleba.
• In June 2011, two RFE/RL Georgian Service correspondents were recognized by the Public Defender Office in Georgia for journalistic excellence and contributions to reporting on critical social issues.
• In November 2010, a Georgian Service reporter was named “Champion of Tolerance” by the Georgian Council of Religions and Council of National Minorities.
• Georgia's most popular blogger, Ia Antadze, writes for RFE/RL's Georgian Service.
• In November 2009, the service launched “Ekho Kavkaza" (Echo of the Caucasus), a one-hour Russian-language program for Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. "Ekho Kavkaza" seeks to use impartial reporting to overcome mistrust between the peoples of these conflict zones.
• Since 2006, the Georgian Service has published an annual compendium of "Liberty Diaries," books based on a weekly program in which Georgians from all walks of life read their work on air over a seven day period. "Liberty Diaries" gives listeners and readers a personal - often intimate - perspective and historical record of the main domestic and international events of the week.

updated: 15 May 2012

Population
4.49 Million (World Bank Estimate, 2011)

Most Common Languages:
Georgian, Russian, Armenian, Azeri

Press Freedom Index (Freedom House)
Partly Free, ranked 112 out of 197 (2012)

Press Freedom Index (RSF):
105 out of 179 (2011)

Corruption Index (Transparency Int.):
64 out of 183 (2011)

Global Peace Index (IES):
141 out of 158 (2012)

Human Rights Watch:
Report on Georgia (2012)

Amnesty International:
Georgia Report (2012)