The Global Media and Information Literacy Week, which was organised by the Communications Commission in Georgia for the second time, concluded with a summary conference on 28 October. The conference was opened by Communications Commission member Natia Kukuladze, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Tamar Matskharashvili, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Georgia Asuncion Sanchez Ruiz, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia Sabine Machl, UNICEF representative Ghassan Khalim and Ofcom representative Maria Donde. 

The meeting assessed the current challenges and projects in the field of media literacy. The Communications Commission held a presentation about the implemented and planned projects. Since 2018, the Commission has trained around 6000 students, enhanced the qualifications of more than 1400 teachers, trained 1000 students in tackling disinformation, and organised more than 300 educational seminars. The Commission cooperates with 300 schools and 12 universities on implementing media literacy projects. 

The conference included two panel discussion involving Georgian media literacy stakeholders – representatives of state and non-governmental sectors, universities, civic education sector and the media. The first panel was devoted to the role and importance of formal and informal education in the development of media literacy. The thematic session covered such important topics as non-formal education, digital literacy and civic education. Participants talked extensively about the importance of media literacy in schools and in higher education. 

The second panel discussion was devoted to challenges related to disinformation and media standards. Durig this session, participants talked about the role of the media critique platform in the fight against disinformation. Media Academy director Shorena Shaverdashvili held a presentation about the media critique platform. The panel discussion explored the current possibilities provided by the legislation in tackling disinformation, as well as the international experiences in this regard. ComCom member Ivane Makharadze informed the public about the current international practices and EU laws on this subject. The panel also discussed the importance of public broadcasters in a polarised media environment. The new director of the Georgian Public Broadcaster Giorgi Gvimradze explained GPB’s efforts and methods in countering disinformation. Participants also discussed the experience and practices of international media organisations. 

The Communications Commission organised the second Global Media and Information Literacy Week in Georgia on 24-28 October. The event took place as part of the 2021 UN resolution that aims to raise public awareness about the importance of media literacy. The event was opened on 24 October by a meeting with students, while schools across Georgia marked the Media Literacy Day on 25 October. The next day, the Commission held an informational meeting with parents on the subject of protecting children from the harmful effects of the internet and the safe use of the Web. On 27 October, the Media Academy hosted an event for startuppers, organised by the Media Lab and the Scientific Cyber Security Association on the subject of cyber security.