"Internews": in Georgia, printed media pay less attention to religious minorities than to ethnic and sexual ones

The organization "Internews-Georgia" has published a report on the study of the tolerance level and use of "hate speech" in the Georgian printed media with regard to ethnic, religious and sexual minorities. According to its summary, Georgian newspapers pay less attention to religious minorities in comparison with attention paid to ethnic and sexual ones.

Certain Georgian editions often contribute to spread of xenophobic and homophobic statements

The study has been carried out under the project "Fight against hate speech in Georgia: litmus test for human rights and social tolerance", which is being conducted by the South Caucasus Regional Office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation.

Most of the data, presented by the report, are based on the analysis of area (in square centimetres) and not on the quantity of materials.

12 of the most large-circulation Georgian newspapers had been selected for the study, which was conducted within two periods (May 1-July 31 and September 1-November 31, 2011). The report has emphasized that such editions as "24 saati", "Resonansi", "Batumelebi", "Akhali Taoba", "Kviris palitra", "Prime Time", "Weekend", and "Yuzhnye Vorota" (South Gate) highlight the issues of ethnic and religious minorities quite balanced.

However, a number of editions, including "Asaval-dasavali", "Versiya" (Version), "Alia", and "Kviris Khronika", often violate journalistic standards and contribute to spread of xenophobic and homophobic statements, the "Internews Georgia" has concluded.

Georgian media highlight topic on ethnic minorities most often

According to the report presented by the "Internews-Georgia", the media highlight the topic of ethnic minorities most often. The diagram presented by the report's authors, indicates that the majority of publications on national minorities were neutral (80 percent), negative publications were encountered more rarely (15 percent) and positive materials about ethnic minorities were published very rarely (5 percent).

Most often, materials mentioned Abkhazians and Armenians. It should be specified that most of the publications about Abkhazians were really in the spirit of journalistic standards and, with regard to Armenians, the situation was different.

"Georgian media mention Armenians unfavourably more often than other nations," stated Georgy Tabagari, a staff member of the "Internews", one of the leaders of the study, during its presentation.

The report's summary on religious minorities included only one paragraph: "It should be noted that, in comparison with ethnic and sexual minorities, religious minorities received less attention. In all cases, the tone in covering this issue was neutral."

Newspapers activate hate speech under influence of political processes

According to the report of the "Internews-Georgia", for the second half of 2011, newspapers activate hate speech under the influence of political processes.

Eka Gamakhari, the expert of the "Group for promotion of women's initiatives", agrees with the above statement.

"The theme of sexual minorities is permanently being raised before the elections. This is the most convenient excuse for politicians to gain votes among large layers of population. One should only mention that the nation faces degeneration, and some voters are ready to give their votes to this very politician," said Eka Gamakhari in her interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.