Mission statement
Democracy & Freedom Watch is an independent news service reporting on democracy and freedom in the Republic of Georgia.
It is published by Journalists for the Future, a non-governmental organization registered in Georgia.
Apart from reporting on news that concerns democracy development, the website also aims to accommodate discussion among academics, politicians and others and to provide a space for an exchange of ideas between different positions.
History
DFWatch was launched in Tbilisi in September 2011, at a time of deep political divisions in Georgia and a restricted media environment.
The website was founded by three experienced journalists with the aim of improving English-language news coverage of Georgia and helping international readers better understand developments in the country.
Since then, DFWatch has covered elections, government policies, democratic institutions, corruption, minority rights, gender equality, regional security and other issues affecting Georgian society. It has also published commentary from contributors across Georgian public life and helped train young journalists.
Throughout its history, DFWatch has sought to report facts accurately and independently.
Editorial team
Lasha Tughushi, PhD, Editor in Chief
Lasha is the editor in chief of Democracy & Freedom Watch. He was chair of the Georgian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum from 2014 to 2016.
Ragnar Skre, Managing Editor
Ragnar Skre has served as Managing Editor since 2011, overseeing the website’s daily news production, staff coordination, editorial routines and internal style guide.
Since the website’s launch, nearly ten thousand articles have passed through his editorial hands, including re-reported Georgian news, original reporting, rewriting and editing.
Our address:
Office no. 21, 2. floor
Kostava Street 47/57
Tbilisi
Georgia