15 April 2008, 15:03
Russar: Georgian politicians would not understand the value of the freedom of speech
In the opinion of the Estonian journalist and media expert Ainar Russar, the most important journalistic problem in Georgia is that the authorities, same as the opposition, do not understand that the freedom of speech is one of fundamental public values.
"Besides, the progress of Public Broadcasting is hampered by certain retardation in the professional level of Georgian journalism. For example, recently in the most popular talk show on Georgian TV the debate topic was inflation. However, in my opinion, they talked about everything but inflation. This is not the way, they should talk to the topic, and in the simplest language possible, for every taxi driver to get into the matter. There's little of this stuff in Georgian mass media. They should train people in this way," Mr Russar told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
He has also noted that the Public Broadcasting should win the trust of the population.
Ainar Russar has added that he plans to study the situation in the sphere of mass media in Georgia, hold consultations and training sessions for journalists, compile curricula and help designing a new format of broadcasts.
Today, Ainar Russar is the editor-in-chief of the News Agency "Baltic News Service". In 2006-2007, he was Director General of the Public Television of Estonia. His experience in journalism is 18 years.
Author: Edita Badasian, CK correspondent
