Georgia: polarisation grows as media follow the war in Ukraine and post-election developments in the country

The European Union (EU) and UNDP have released media monitoring reports analysing the post-election media environment in Georgia from 24 January 2022 until 23 March 2022. The analysis includes 22 media outlets – six television stations, nine online and seven print media editions. 

Findings show that political developments dominated the media agenda: events surrounding the 2021 local self-governance elections, President Saakashvili’s return to Georgia and imprisonment, were at the centre of media attention until the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

After that, the focus quickly shifted to wartime reporting. According to the report, all media sectors were equally gripped by the unfolding humanitarian disaster, international support and Georgia’s political and public responses to the crisis. Although all media sectors were focused on developments in Ukraine, their coverage was influenced by deep political divisions in Georgia’s society. 

The analysis shows that editorial differences became apparent across digital media, which are generally perceived as independent and balanced. Some of the monitored outlets, influenced by Russian information sources, used misleading images, false narratives, and misrepresentation in their coverage.

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