On 16 November, Media Development Foundation (MDF) released its annual report on “Hate Speech” depicting media monitoring findings of Georgian TV, online and print media. Report covers the period from January 1, 2016 to October 15, 2016 and reveals various sources of hate speech including media itself, political parties, clergy, public organizations and others.
As the report findings show various types of hate speech were presented in Anti-Western context stemming either from pro-Russian political parties, media and NGOs or from ethno-nationalistic sources.
Out of total 868 discriminatory comments the largest share – 52% (454 cases) accounted for homophobia. The most homophobic message was that the West imposes homosexuality on Georgia. Homophobia is followed by Turkophobia with 17% (148) out of total data. Among Turkophobic messages several pro-Russian media outlets and organizations were cultivating the message that Georgia’s NATO membership would have led to Turkish intervention into Georgia.
Geworld.ge, 30 March, Iza Tamazashvili, author: “No one speaks that the price of joining NATO which Georgia will pay is the sovereignty and lost territories and that the Georgian people will live under the dictate of a Muslim state – Turkey.”
The highest number of Turkophobic comments was published by media outlet Georgia and World (Geworld.ge), whilst the sole racist comment voiced in the media is also attributed to this edition. The edition also stood out with its pro-Russian sentiments, while stirring anti-Western feelings. Newspaper “Georgia and World” and its online version Geworld.ge were founded by LTD Historical Heritage. The initiative of the founder of Historical Heritage in Georgia has been acclaimed by the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev.
As for Religious discrimination, the visit of Pope of Rome to Georgia in September sparked anti-Catholicism in media. Some representatives of Orthodox Church called Pope Francis “heretic”, “the greatest enemy of orthodoxy, greater than Islam” and “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”.
Report also provides background information on those media outlets, political parties and public organizations that most frequently appeared as a source of hate speech.
Full version of the report is available at MDF’s online library.
