Join KU CREES on February 17 at 12pm via Zoom for “Ethnic Diversity and Media Freedom in the South Caucasus — The Voice of Radio Marneuli.”
Georgia, long viewed as a pro-Western reformer since gaining independence in 1991, has entered a period of accelerated democratic decline. Since the disputed 2024 parliamentary elections, the government has embraced anti-Western rhetoric and adopted restrictive laws targeting civil society and independent media, sparking mass protests and raising concerns about the country’s political direction.
This webinar is led by journalists from Radio Marneuli, a community media outlet serving one of Georgia’s most ethnically diverse regions. Reporting daily in Georgian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian, they bring an inside perspective on how these political shifts are affecting communities on the ground. Radio Marneuli’s work has become more difficult as the broader crackdown has placed new pressures on independent media, yet its journalists remain committed to serving their audience.
The session invites participants to speak directly with Radio Marneuli journalists, hear how they are navigating these challenges, and explore the role of community media in multiethnic environments.