Importance of Media for Democratic Deliberation and Civic Engagement

• In Event: Poster Session: Predicting Political Preferences & Civic Engagement
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Civic Engagement

Abstract

Abstract: In light of the current political crisis, Georgia faces sharp polarization in both its everyday politics and societal values. While the local population supports democracy, the country is currently experiencing a significant downturn due to incompetence, misconduct, and recent changes in the political discourse of the current government. This interdisciplinary Ph.D. project aims to explore the interrelation between television media and democratic processes in a country grappling with authoritarianism, polarization, and illiberalism. Since the late 1980s, Georgia's domestic political discourse has been divisive, with a bitter confrontation between the two main political parties, Georgian Dream and the United National Movement (UNM), and their respective leaders, Bidzina Ivanishvili and Mikheil Saakashvili (former President). The politicians from these parties, utilizing highly partisan television channels as platforms, engage in abusive language, accusations of "treasonous" actions, and efforts to humiliate the other side, which have become commonplace and contribute to the country's polarization and democratic backsliding.
Keywords: TV media, polarization, political discourse, democratic deliberation, civic engagement and political participation, deliberative mini-publics.
Introduction: In Georgia, as in any democratic country, radio and television stations, print media, and social media should serve as mediators between society and the government. However, despite media pluralism, only two opposition television stations allocate limited time and resources to discuss and analyze social problems, while other media outlets present content that deviates from reality. The media's role in shaping public opinion and bringing the public's needs closer to the attention of the political elite is no longer effectively fulfilled in Georgia. The signs of the government's failure to uphold electoral democracy highlight the necessity of introducing other participatory democracy possibilities in Georgia, based on the premise that political and other decisions should result from reasonable discussions among regular citizens. Research Objective: This innovative Ph.D. project utilizes methodological triangulation, combining qualitative, quantitative, and deliberative research methods to understand the role of TV media in enhancing the need for deliberation within an extremely polarized society. By employing this triangulation, the study aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the research topic in the context of TV media and introduce a new concept of deliberative, collaborative, and participatory decision-making mechanisms for the first time in the post-Soviet history of Georgia. Ultimately, this research will investigate whether Georgian citizens support the idea of civic participation in public decision-making and whether deliberation can alleviate contentiousness among citizens by helping them understand that complex social and political issues remain unresolved for years due to polarized media, politically disengaged population, polarized public opinion, and distrust towards the government. Research Phases: The current research project consists of three phases, two of which have already been completed and the third one is still ongoing. The final phase, scheduled for March and June 2023, will involve a television program experiment facilitating the process of deliberation through several mini-public meetings (5/6). These meetings aim to help society members to discuss pressing issues and during discussion try to reach consensus, replacing disengagement and apathy with a desire to contribute to solving their own problems. Deliberation, as a form of communication based on the principles of democratization, focuses on equality, fairness, the ability to analyze ideas, and public welfare (Cohen, 1996, 1997; Habermas, 1989). The relevance of this research project lies in supporting the further institutionalization of deliberation as a participatory mechanism in the country. It will justify face-to-face interactions that better embody certain democratic ideals than already established forms of voting in elections. In conclusion, this Ph.D. project seeks to shed light on the crucial role of TV media in promoting democratic deliberation and civic engagement in Georgia. By exploring the challenges posed by polarization and illiberalism, the study aims to contribute to the democratization process by advocating for the institutionalization of deliberation as a participatory mechanism.

Author

• Lisa Basishvili, Tbilisi State University (TSU)