‘Fake news’ and propaganda in focus at OSCE annual South Caucasus Media Conference in Tbilisi

TBILISI, 11 May 2017 – ‘Fake news’, the dissemination of disinformation and propaganda through traditional and online media and the associated negative repercussions for the freedom of expression were the focus of the 14th South Caucasus Media Conference, which concluded in Tbilisi today.  

“Journalism faces numerous challenges related to disinformation and propaganda, which prevent individuals from freely forming their opinions, and distort public opinion and the open and frank exchange of ideas,” said Frane Maroević, Director of the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, opening the conference. “Through media pluralism, as well as media and digital literacy, we can better meet these challenges.”

More than 80 journalists and representatives from governments, NGOs and academia from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, along with international experts from Lithuania and the Russian Federation, participated at the two-day event.  They elaborated several possible approaches to tackle these issues and stressed the need to abide by international commitments regarding the freedom of expression, including media freedom.

At the end of the conference the participants adopted a set of recommendations addressed to the governments and the media community of the region, emphasizing that censorship can never be the way forward.

The annual conference serves as a forum to discuss contemporary challenges to freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, in the OSCE region in general and in South Caucasus in particular.

“Georgia will gladly continue the tradition of hosting this important gathering in the coming years. Our government spares no effort to ensure freedom of the media in the country,” said Khatuna Totladze, Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia. 

Follow @OSCE_RFOM to join the conference discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #14MediaCon.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. The Representative provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.