In the framework of the EU Project “Support to the Public Defender’s Office”, the Public Defender of Georgia announces a competition for journalists “Conflicts and their effect on human rights”.

Rules of the competition

1. Objective

The competition “Conflicts and their effect on human rights” organized by the Public Defender of Georgia and supported by the EU Project “Support to the Public Defender’s Office” aims at encouraging journalists to report on problems of conflict-affected population and initiation of a discussion on ways of peaceful resolution of the conflict.

2. Competition management, place and date of its conduction

1. The completion is organized by the Public Defender’s Office with the support of the European Union Project “Support to the Public Defender’s office”.
2. Winners of the competition will be revealed at an event organized by the PDO to be held in Tbilisi, on April 23, 2015.
3. The panel of judges of the competition will be formed from experts and journalists working on the topic of the conflict.

3. Participants

1. We invite journalists working in TV, radio, print and electronic media for participation in the competition.
2. Those interested in participation should present an article published in a periodic (daily, weekly, monthly) newspaper, magazine or internet publication circulating on the territory of Georgia or a report aired on TV/radio broadcaster on the territory of Georgia in the period from April 10, 2014 to May 6, 2015.
3. An article or a TV/radio report should promote attracting public attention to legal rights of conflict-affected population, including internally displaced persons, and discussion on the following topics:

• legal rights of conflict-affected population, including internally displaced persons;
• conformity of social projects initiated by the state with needs of conflict-affected population, including those of internally displaced persons;
• existing situation with regards to access to employment, healthcare and education for population in rural areas adjacent to the demarcation line; security and movement-related problems;
• ways and methods for peaceful resolution of conflicts;
• Relations, dialogues and restoration of trust between people as a way to resolve the conflict;

4. Volume of an article should not be less than 800 words while duration of a TV/radio report - no less than 2 minutes.

5. Those interested in participation should present:

• Application for their participation in the competition indicating date of the publication of an article (or airing of the report); name of a newspaper, magazine or internet publication (name of a broadcaster);
• ID copy;
• A copy of an article or a report.

6. Contestants may present requested information starting the day of publication of information on the competition to April 11, 18.00, to the following address:6, Nino Ramishvili Str., Tbilisi, Georgia or email address:mediakonkursi.ombudsman@gmail.com

7. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

4. Revealing winners

1. Three winners (I, II and III places) will be revealed in the competition.
2. Winners of the competition will be revealed by members of the panel of judges by the method of accumulating points for various categories. These categories are: acuteness of the topic; relevance with the competition; compliance with media standards; delivery style.
3. The highest point in each category is 5.
4. All members of the panel of judges will assess a work independently. An average score will be determined based on total sum of points granted by the judges.
5. In case of equal points, advantage will be given to an article or a TV/radio report on the basis of the majority of votes of the full composition of the panel of judges.

5. Awards

1. Winners of the top three places of the competition will be awarded certificates and valuable gifts.
2. Participants of the competition will receive certificates and small gifts.