The course, held in Tbilisi last week, is part of a major 18-month media development programme implemented by WAN-IFRA and IREX Europe to address structural threats to free media from political interference, with a particular focus on the challenges media face in today¹s changing environment.
Emphasis is on the financial sustainability of Georgian media, the impact and significance of new media, in-depth reporting and the importance of cooperation among independent Georgia publishers. The goal is to promote greater democratisation and increased stability, reflecting the objectives of Georgian media experts, including two local partners, the Georgian Regional Media Association and the Civic Development Institute.
Nine media companies are working with individual consultants and receiving hands-on group training to increase their financial sustainability, under the Media Strengthening Programme for Georgia, funded by the European Union.
The WAN-IFRA approach combines theory with practical application, with all elements being used in "live" projects at the media companies. "Each learning point is tested in practice again the theory, under local business conditions. They are engaged because they realize they are being tested against a real-life project," said international consultant Eamonn Byrne, who implements the course.
"This course has given me the opportunity to focus on how to manage my media company, analyse the different stages of planning, and how to improve them," said Maia Mamulashvili, editor-in-chief of the regional Kakhetis Khma newspaper. "Consultations of this quality have previously been virtually unavailable and inaccessible for me."
