Research

25 November 2013

Digital Broadcasting Switchover - Challenges and Problems in Georgia

The study from IDFI contains those main recommendations that should be reflected in the policy document for the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. We think that those risks that might threaten the media development and freedom will be reduced to a minimum if the abovementioned suggestions are taken into account.

8 November 2013

Information about Funds Transferred to the State Budget Through the Use of Plea Bargaining Agreements Remain Inaccessible

On September 25, 2013 IDFI addressed to the LEPL National Bureau of Enforcement demanding the information about funds transferred to state budget through the use of plea bargaining agreements. According to the received documents, during 9 months of 2013 (January 1st-September 25th) total amount of the funds transferred to the state budget through the criminal fines, damages imposed to the state, bails and plea bargaining agreements sums up to 54722173 GEL. As for money transferred throug

21 October 2013

Public Servants’ Vacations in terms of gender

According to the Labour Code of Georgia, Chapter 5, Article 21, the worker has a right of at least 24 day paid vacation and at least 15 days of unpaid vacation per year. IDFI has studied the data of unpaid vacations of public servants. According to the data from 164 public authorities, 1674 public servants had used their right for unpaid vacation within the period from 1st January, 2012 to 1st April 2013. 100 public servants were from the central and state minister offices of the ministries,

16 October 2013

Statistics of Public Servants in the Public Authorities of Georgia in Terms of Gender

Inquiring the data on gender equality in terms of labour relations, IDFI has disseminated the questionnaire in 175 Public Authorities. Out of the 2 275 requests sent to the public authorities, IDFI has received 1789 complete and 96 incomplete responses, 3 refusal, and 147 were left unanswered, explaining that they did not possess the requested information or had not taken definite actions. Based on the received data the Institute has conducted research. For the full version of the research pl

16 October 2013

Statistics of Public Servants in the Public Authorities of Georgia in Terms of Gender

In the framework of the presented study, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) has inquired assurance of gender equality in terms of labour relations in public authorities of Georgia, equal conditions for public servants as well as public officials’ recruitment and dismissal in public authorities.

12 September 2013

Access to Public Information in Georgia, 2012-2013

The results of the study encompass the period from July 2012 to June 2013. During the abovementioned period a total of 5625 request for public information were sent to 224 public institutions in the frameworks of the project. Out if the sent request: in 3830 the received information was complete, in 338 - incomplete, in 42 - rejected due to legal reasons, 576 were left unanswered, and in 788 cases the institutions reported that they did not have the information. The study presents the pr

2 August 2013

The right of access to information in the European Union institutions and the role of the European Ombudsman

Author: Nino Tsukhishvili The right of access to information in the European Union institutions and the role of the European Ombudsman The right of access to information is an essential element for providing transparency of the European Union institutions, promoting good governance of the decision-making bodies and ensuring communication between the European citizens and the institutions of the European Union.The principle of transparency requires access to official documents hel

12 June 2013

Statistics of Internet Users in Georgia

Modern technologies and internet have simplified communication and access to information like never before. Governments actively use the internet as means of communicating with citizens. Most importantly, in order to increase the accountability of governments, attention has focused on providing detailed information about their activities. In the case of efficient internet resource usage, it is possible to simplify bureaucratic procedures, construct direct communication, and exchange views whi

10 June 2013

Development of e-communication in Georgia – access to the internet

Author: Teona Turashvili Development of e-communication in Georgia access to the internet Modern technologies and internet simplified communication and access to information. Governments commenced actively using internet as means of communicating with the citizens. Most importantly, in order to increase the accountability of the governments, attention is focused on the importance of providing detailed information about their activities. In case of efficient usage of internet resou

21 May 2013

Georgia’s Digital Switchover Strategy

Georgias Digital Switchover Strategy The policy document defines the relevant standards related to effective use of spectrum, protection of consumer rights, optimization of costs, and influence on competition and investments. The document also determines how consumers will be migrated to the digital broadcasting and what assistance the state plans to provide the end users in addition to the financial support. This strategy response to challenges faced both by consumers and suppliers.