Georgia's Public Broadcaster director general: Azerbaijan media can be example for region

The Director General of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, Tinatin Berdzenishvili, who is preparing to visit Azerbaijan to participate in the Global Media Forum to be held in Shusha, gave an interview to Report about the 150th anniversary of Azerbaijani media:

- How is your personal attitude towards Azerbaijan?

- With all sincerity, I can say that Azerbaijan is one of the most valuable countries for me. Because I spent the most beautiful seven years of my life there. I lived in Azerbaijan with my family, and my first child was born there. When we returned to Georgia, my child's adaptation was difficult, which shows how deeply those years left their mark. I have special ties with the Azerbaijani people. I have many friends in Azerbaijan. Every time I go to Baku, I feel as if I've returned to my own home. My heart fills with joy.

- Azerbaijani media is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Do you follow the activities of your colleagues from Azerbaijan?

- First of all, I would like to note that the role of the press and media is extremely important not only in our region but throughout the world. Especially in a time of such instability and cataclysm, we are at the center of the media. Azerbaijani media stands out with its accuracy and promptness against the backdrop of these complex realities and can be considered an example for the region. Looking at history, we can see that once upon a time, media representatives from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia worked together and collaborated. I hope that this cooperation will be restored in the future. Today, Azerbaijan has the potential to lead such cooperation. Georgian journalists widely refer to Azerbaijani sources when preparing information about your country:

When verifying information about your country, they also refer to leading information agencies such as Report and AZERTAC. This is also part of our reliable and balanced information provision.

I congratulate the Azerbaijani media representatives – journalists, cameramen, editors, and all employees working in editorial offices. Promptness and accuracy have always been priorities in Azerbaijani media, and this is a very important example for the region.

- How do you assess the current level of relations between the two countries?

- The relations between our countries are built on strong foundations. Azerbaijan and Georgia have always maintained diplomatic relations at the highest level and have consistently supported each other. It is our responsibility to preserve and promote these relations. The media's role in this regard is invaluable.

- At what level is cooperation established with your colleagues from Azerbaijan? Do Azerbaijani employees work at the channel you lead?

- Mutual information exchange should be further strengthened. We pay special attention to delivering events happening in Georgia to our citizens who speak Azerbaijani in their native language. We would also like to receive information about events happening in Azerbaijan promptly. Because strengthening this unity between our peoples is important. This unity already exists – and it is confirmed not only by words but also by actions. I am satisfied with the work of Azerbaijani employees at the Georgian Public Broadcaster. I am not just pleased with them, I am proud to work with them. They are professionals and have gained valuable experience at our television. Especially our editorial team working with ethnic minorities is very productive. They cover sensitive regional topics and present this information at a high level.

Currently, there is a very close and strategic cooperation with the Azerbaijan Public Television (ITV). Our new online platform has also been launched. We discuss cooperation opportunities almost every week or month. Our goal is to prepare joint media products and present these projects to viewers in both countries. I hope that in the near future we will see concrete results of this cooperation on screens.

In addition, our Azerbaijani-language editorial team works very closely with AzTV. I am working to further expand this cooperation. As a result of this collaboration, joint documentaries, cultural projects, and even TV series could be produced in the future.

Overall, I want to say that the cooperation established between Azerbaijan and Georgia in the media field contributes not only to the information space of the two countries but to the entire region. This cooperation is of particular importance in terms of strengthening mutual understanding between peoples, as well as establishing regional stability and cultural bridges. We use all opportunities to provide high-quality information to the Azerbaijani-speaking audience in Georgia, and we are very pleased to see the same attitude from the Azerbaijani side. I believe that this cooperation will deepen further in the future, and joint projects will bring our peoples even closer together.