One critical aspect of journalism is accurate and responsible reporting on court cases, as it allows citizens to stay informed about the justice system and its outcomes.

To enhance the quality of court reporting, the USAID Rule of Law Program, in partnership with the USAID Media Program, organized two-day trainings for 35 regional journalists between June 8-12, 2023. First, 15 journalists from Adjara received the two-day training, then 20 journalists from Imereti, Guria, Samegrelo, and Svaneti were trained.

During the trainings on How to Cover Legal Issues, trainers Natia Kapanadze, Ilona Diasamidze and Tamar Rukhadze covered topics including: general rules and nuances of court coverage; restrictions for media; protection of the presumption of innocence; legal terms and terminology; communication with judges, assistant judges, prosecutors, investigators, lawyers, and parties; sensitive topics and vulnerable groups in the media; accessing public information; and protection of journalists' rights.

In her welcoming notes, the USAID Rule of Law Program Regional Rule of Law Advisor Irina Lortkipanidze presented an overview of the Program’s work, the activities of the Program’s rule of law regional hubs, and the key focus of the media training, which aimed to enhance the accuracy and credibility of reporting and equip journalists with the necessary knowledge of the legal system, enhancing their ability to provide reliable and trustworthy news.

Tamar Rukhadze, trainer and a representative of the USAID Media Program, expressed the importance of the media's role in reporting on court proceedings and legal matters. She emphasized that journalists should possess a solid understanding of legal regulations and adhere to stringent professional standards. “By fostering knowledge exchange and sharing experiences, the training’s purpose is to empower journalists to deliver precise and comprehensive coverage of law-related news, all while upholding ethical standards." – she said.

Trainer, human rights defender, and media law lawyer Natia Kapanadze stated that the professional tools of journalists and the legal framework are constantly evolving for the objective and complete dissemination of news. Accordingly, the training, conducted in the format of experience sharing, was designed to discuss the challenges faced by journalists working in the region to update their knowledge about legal regulations and to clarify the definitions of ethical norms.

"During the training, we emphasized that journalistic practice should consider possible human rights violations more carefully than prescribed by self-regulation rules. We discussed the use of legal mechanisms, the importance of both domestic and international instruments, and the significance of local self-government control, judicial system monitoring, electronic access to public information, and the careful coverage of minority rights. Updating this information will help journalists improve their professional skills, explore new topics for their work, and make the challenges faced by the local population a subject of discussion at the national level." – said Natia Kapanadze.

Another trainer, a lawyer for the Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association in Adjara, Ilona Diasamidze, acknowledged the challenge for journalists in fully understanding and utilizing legal terminology. She emphasized the importance of conducting such trainings systematically to address the evolving theoretical issues and practical needs.

Participants showed particular interest in topics such as the right to private life, secret recording and its use, and the protection of source confidentiality. Journalists had the opportunity to discuss these issues, ask questions, and receive answers regarding the legislative regulations and their professional ethical obligations.

Lela Dumbadze, a journalist from Batumelebi who participated in the training, expressed the significance of reporting on court proceedings, stating, "Not all citizens have the opportunity to attend court sessions. The public relies on the media to learn what transpires in the courtroom, including the statements made by the prosecution or the defense. Increasing journalists' knowledge about the judicial system is crucial, as misrepresented information and misused legal terms can undermine the process and diminish public trust in the media. The training was personally enlightening for me as a journalist. It helped me gain a clearer understanding of legal terms, enabling me to convey court proceedings or specific stories I cover more accurately and comprehensively."

"I found the training to be both intriguing and essential," expressed Tamta Dolize, a regional correspondent for Rustavi TV and Guria TV. "Revisiting the legal terminology and distinguishing between the terms was particularly enlightening. Additionally, delving into the intricacies of covering court proceedings, the ethical considerations of secret recordings in different circumstances, and the challenges of reporting on local self-government activities proved to be invaluable. The discussions on professional ethics were thought-provoking and highlighted the importance of making sound moral judgments as a journalist when faced with choices during case coverage. I anticipate utilizing the knowledge I acquired on a daily basis, as I often report on local self-government, crime, and court proceedings. Thank you for these immensely useful sessions!"

At the conclusion of the training, Meri Makharashvili, the USAID Rule of Law Program Communications Advisor, announced a competition for regional journalists from Imereti, Guria, Samegrelo–Zemo Svaneti and Adjara. The competition will serve to recognize and promote excellence in court case coverage and ethical reporting in legal journalism. It will also provide a platform for talented journalists to showcase their analytical prowess and storytelling abilities in the domain of legal reporting on human rights-related cases. The winners will be awarded during the week of Human Rights Day, December 10, 2023.