Who we are

Our mission:

Formed in 1997, Internews Georgia is a local non-profit non-governmental organization based in Georgia whose mission is to improve access to information for people by fostering independent media and promoting open communication policies in the public interest. Internews Georgia’s informational and educational video-audio programming, theoretical and hands-on training, and innovative use of new technology empower general audience and media professionals to actively participate in the political and social decision-making and affect positive change.

Activities:

In 2009 Internews raised 584,000.00 USD by which is quite an impressive annual budget for a Georgia based local non-profit. It should also be noted that 12% of this budget was generated through IGE's entrepreneurial activities to support the mission of Georgia. In this respect as well, Internews represents a rare example in Georgia of the so-called social entrepreneurship. In 2009 the following organizations supported the work of Internews Georgia: Delegation of the EU in Georgia, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Open Society Georgia Foundation, National Endowment for Democracy, US Embassy in Georgia, British Council, British Embassy in Georgia, OSCE Mission to Georgia and OSCE HCNM, Eurasia Partnership Foundation, and British Petroleum.

Internews Georgia's activities include:

Certified Training Programs: With the purpose of strengthening independent media, improving the quality of broadcast media production, improving the distribution of this production, improving media professionalism and journalism ethics, Internews training programs are tailored to the local needs; whereas the methodology of these programs allows trainees to tie theoretical knowledge with practical skills and experiences. All Internews training courses help to gain more theoretical knowledge, acquire and/or improve skills, and, more importantly, improve/change professional attitudes. The courses are designed and led by certified local media trainers. Internews training portfolio is very diverse and includes television and radio reporting, topical reporting, documentary film production, television talk-show production, elections coverage, media management, etc.

Video, Audio, Print and Web-based Production: Internews video, audio, print and online production inform and educate people of Georgia about the issues which are vital for the development of civil society but, as a rule, are ignored by the mainstream media. The target fields include but are not limited to: human rights, rule of law, children's rights and their participation in socio-economic development, illegal migration and trafficking, integration of national minorities, ethnic conflicts and their peaceful resolution, civil society development, gender-related issues and gender equality, participation in local governance, etc. Internews public educational/informational campaigns include in-house production as well as partnership efforts with different media outlets and media professionals. Internews produces short documentaries, public service announcements, television and radio programs, fliers and posters, newsletters, web-sites, etc. These activities are implemented in partnership with those local and international organizations whose work is related to the above-listed fields.

Advocacy: With the purpose of the development of independent and professional media which will be able to serve as a watch-dog, Internews was successful in galvanizing Georgian television and radio broadcasters to form the Georgian Broadcasters Association and Georgia Association of Regional Broadcasters which can collectively advocate for the industry's interests.

Internews Georgia's tri-lingual (Georgian, English and Russian) web-edition www.media.ge was launched in 2006 and is currently serving 1300 registered subscribers and on average 700-900 unique daily visitors. The goal of the project is to create a sustainable system of information sharing which will serve as a bridge between the Georgian media and other actors of the local civil society, and will connect the two to their peers worldwide.

Awards:

In 2003, Internews Georgia was awarded a Gold Addy in the nomination for the best non-for-profit advertising campaign worldwide for its cycle of 12 public service announcements on Rule of Law.

In May 2005, Internews Georgia became a cavalier of the ethics code – Five Silver Principals. The code was created under Citizens Advocate! Program, and aims at establishing a certain behavioral and business activity standards among the public organizations. It recognizes those who demonstrate great responsibility before the society, good management, high level of transparency and accountability.

In May 2006, Internews Georgia’s project – media portal www.media.ge which represents the only tri-lingual online resource about media in Georgia and global wide - was awarded a bronze diploma under the nomination for the best web project among all state, nongovernmental and regional online resources in Georgia at the first National Internet Competition (www.topsite.ge).

In December 2008, the portal was awarded a diploma in the nomination for the best coverage of the issues of freedom of information in the national competition ‘Recognize Your Right” organized by GYLA and the OSCE Mission to Georgia.

Membership:

Internews Georgia is a member of an international organization – Internews International, and Global Forum for Media Development.