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Case Study: CIVIL SOCIETY IN GEORGIA
- Many people in the former Soviet republics are trying to develop
"civil society". It refers to institutions and groups that are
not controlled by the state, and which are the vital foundation
upon which fundamental human rights can be built. A healthy civil
society requires not just press freedom, but also action to beat
the corrosive forces of corruption.
- The Georgian President has acknowledged severe levels of corruption
in his country but believes freedom of opinion and expression
will help to tackle the problem.
Analysis
A free press is a vital part of functioning civil society. By providing
information and giving people a voice, the media help to make government
transparent, accountable and responsive to the concerns of the ordinary
people.
Places where there is limited or no free press
can become vulnerable to corruption and this in turn is a disincentive
to development. For example, the former Soviet republic of Georgia
is held back by some of the worst corruption of the post-Soviet
era.
President Eduard Schevardnadze acknowledged the
problem in July 2000. "We are not afraid of candid talk about
corruption - one of the severest problems of the Georgian statehood,"
he said.
Like many of the emerging democracies in eastern
Europe, Georgia sees an independent and free media as a means to
consolidate civil society. The President pointed to the growing
free press in his country as a force for good.
"Unlike some other countries, where there
may be high level of corruption but it is concealed by an undemocratic
regime and censorship, Georgian citizens, non-governmental organisations
and free media are able to discuss this problem freely and offer
concrete proposals," he said.
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