U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi PAS Grant for Georgian Media Strengthening Partnerships

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia is pleased to announce an open competition for a Georgian Media Partnership Program. U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations may submit proposals to manage a two- or more year project to strengthen Georgian media by fostering long-term relationships between selected American media outlets and Georgian media outlets of similar size in similar demographic communities, and between the individual professionals that work at each outlet. The means for achieving this objective may include internships, on-the-job trainings, exchanges in both directions, electronic interactions and intensive consultations. PAS will award $500,000 for a two-year long project (with possible extensions), seeking to develop up to four partnerships with media outlets from Georgian regional towns under this program. The grantee should work closely with the Public Affairs Section throughout the grant period to identify the Georgian media outlets to be partnered with the American media outlets selected by the applicant.

II. BACKGROUND

Independent media professionals play a critical role in ensuring the free flow of information necessary to develop and maintain democratic systems. Notwithstanding the relatively quick and smooth development of independent Georgian media in the post-Soviet era, the local media space still faces a number of constraints based on an uncertain political situation, the lack of professional journalistic standards among reporters, and difficulties achieving financial viability for regional outlets. Transparency International concluded that the country’s media “is less free and pluralistic than it was before the Rose Revolution in 2003.” As TI demonstrated, Georgian government has tightened its grip on TV news, and secured government-friendly ownership and management at national TV stations. Nationwide television broadcasting is limited to the state-owned public broadcaster and pro-government Rustavi 2 and Imedi stations. All three stations generally parrot the government’s positions and propagate its policies.

Georgia has about 30 small broadcasters that televise news at the regional level concentrating mostly on local developments. Small broadcasters face financial difficulties and rely on personal ads (e.g. obituaries), and business and political campaign advertisements to finance their operations. They often face pressure from regional authorities to promote pro-governmental content. Consequently they practice self-censorship. Georgian journalists often lack professionalism since they tend to be young and inexperienced, often working on short-term contracts. Turnover of staff is high which hampers the steady institutional development of Georgian media organizations.

Funding Priorities
The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia seeks to fund a creative non-profit/non-governmental organization with prior experience in similar projects. In-kind financial contributions will be favorably considered.