[6]GMPP is a four-year program funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State through the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi. GMPP aims to build strong, collegial and lasting relationships between Georgian regional television and radio outlets, and broadcasters in the United States via professional exchanges.
The exchanges are focused to improve journalistic, technological and business management practices among the Georgian partners, who then share their knowledge with their colleagues at home.
• Support the professional development of Georgian media through partnerships with US media outlets
• Improve Georgian media outlets’ viability
While most Georgians turn to television and radio for up-to-date news and information, they have become increasingly politicized. National broadcasters largely align themselves with the ruling authorities and independent broadcasters have become a rare breed. Those independent broadcasters which have survived in Georgia’s outlying regions struggle to maintain their financial viability because of weak advertising markets.
Though there have been some attempts at strengthening the professional quality and management of regional broadcasters, those efforts have faltered as the broadcasters have struggled to maintain their independence and uphold standards due to limited human, technological and financial resources. With national media largely siding with the government or the opposition, regional media face more acute political pressures from regional government officials, whom the national authorities, and the public, scrutinize less. Consequently, numerous outlets practice self-censorship to stay on air.
To address these challenges, GMPP partners Georgian regional broadcasters with relevant US media outlets for yearlong professional partnerships. Georgian and American broadcasters participate in weeklong exchanges over the course of several months – to be complemented by virtual consultation – to meet the needs of the Georgian broadcasters, whether in journalism, technical issues or business management.
To date, GMPP has facilitated partnerships between four Georgian television stations and four US counterparts, bringing together 24 Georgian and 14 American journalists and media managers.
GMPP is currently recruiting US media outlets for its third-year Georgian participants, Ninth Wave in Poti, Borjomi TV in Borjomi, and Radio Old Town in Kutaisi.
Interested? Reach out to us at GMPP@irex.org [7]!
GMPP@irex.org [8]