In November 2023, Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, will host the 18th EBU News Assembly.

In her address, Director General of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB), Tinatin Berdzenishvili, congratulated the European Broadcaster Union (EBU) on holding the 17th News Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

She underscored that aside from producing high quality media content, the GPB also provides a safe space for the new generation, “exactly because our news is balanced, relevant, and verified.”

Alluding to the disinformation, “spreading quicker than the news,” Berdzenishvili stressed that “as public service media, we have common threat and strength, common goal to stand with our society.”

“First of all, congratulations on the holding the 17th News Assembly in Geneva. I believe that you have a very fruitful meetings, discussions and of course, impressive speakers.

Here, at the GPB, we believe that we create not only a high quality media content, but also a safe space for the new generation, exactly because our news is balanced, relevant and verified. Disinformation spreads quicker than the news; behind even the seemingly harmless fake news, there are interest of particular power, and their victims are real people.

As public service media, we have common threat and strength, common goal to stand with our society. I am delighted and excited to inform you that the next News Assembly will take place in Tbilisi, Georgia, in November 2023.

You are all invited to come and visit beautiful Georgia. Just a warning – get ready for magnificent wine-testing,” she asserted.

Liz Corbin, EBU Deputy Media Director and Head of News, said the EBU is looking forward to the opportunity “to come to Tbilisi and to learn more about Georgia.”

“The European Broadcasting Union represents members from Finland to Morocco, from Iceland to Georgia and so when the News Assembly meets they meet in a different location every time and that gives us the opportunity to get to know the journalists in that country, to get to know more about the situation happening in all of those different countries,” Corbin stated.

EBU Deputy Media Director explained that the EBU News Assembly is an annual opportunity for editors-in-chief and for news executives from public service broadcasters from around Europe to come together and discuss all the big topics and the big issues facing us as journalists.

The 17th News Assembly agenda included the present and future of Eurovision News and how to promote the value of public service journalism to the outside world; Russia-Ukraine war reporting: how to keep audiences engaged; Reporting climate change: case studies from Members; New(s) Dimensions: showcasing the most innovative projects from Members.