The 2-week online training held for journalists of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) by the BBC Trainer Jonathan Stoneman, is over.

Participants of the training discussed election coverage, precision and impartiality related issues. A document on editorial policy was worked out within the framework of the training. Jonathan Stoneman shared his experience about election coverage with Georgian journalists.

“This training was held for our journalists mainly in connection with the election period. We asked the BBC Trainer to talk about the standards based on which European Public Broadcasters are covering the elections. I believe that the training was successful, and I hope that we will see the results of the training during covering the forthcoming elections. The result will be impartial and precise coverage that is expected from us by the society and ourselves,” Giorgi Gvimradze, Head of GPB News and Current Affairs Bloc said.

According to Tinatin Berdzenishvili, Acting General Director of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB), Editorial Guideline for Public Broadcaster was elaborated within the framework of the training.

“The one-year process with Jonathan Stoneman has come to an end. This person worked with us on certain schemes and documents which were implemented together with journalists. We have agreed on rules. The Public Broadcaster has its operational frame that is sometimes unknown to the public. There are cases when journalists have disagreement internally or there is some misunderstanding. The training has finished with the message that “Written is better than told.” That is why we created a document which will serve as the guideline for Georgian Public Broadcaster including about how elections should be covered. We agreed on basic principles such as impartiality, independence, fairness, etc.,” Berdzenishvili said.

Jonathan Stoneman plans to visit Georgia after the pandemic and will begin practicing the training basics with GPB journalists.

Georgian Public Broadcaster trained journalists ahead of the 2020 parliamentary elections. Jonathan Stoneman, BBC Trainer held the exercise in online format. The training comprised different topics such as impartiality, independence precision, fairness and accountability.

Jonathan Stoneman has been with World Service since 1992, having worked previously for BBC Television. He currently manages Consulting Company Stonepeople Media.