Social Media Council Georgia

Founding Member of SMCG, Dr. Nina Shengelia took part in a panel disussion organised at University of Bremen by Dr. Dennis Redeker, entitled “Building in the Digital Age: How to fight hate and misinformation on social media – in Georgia and beyond”. https://lnkd.in/dixHy3JH

Thank you to my colleagues at MALTA - OSCE24 for inviting me to Vienna to speak in my capacity as a disinformation expert. #MediaFreedom #Conference in the #OSCE #Region OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)

I want to thank my British colleagues for inviting me as a speaker to this very important panel. The topics we are addressing are pivotal for the future of democracy. Within the EU, autocratic contagion has spread from Hungary to other neighboring countries, with authoritarian populist parties gaining ground at European and national levels. The new UK government appears to understand the scale of the challenge, but Brexit and its legacy continue to hamper a unified response. Beyond the EU, Georgia faces its own democratic backsliding, with increasing autocratic tendencies and attacks on free media and civil society. This highlights the need for solidarity not only within Europe but also with democrats in neighboring regions. For pro-Europeans in the UK, regaining Europe’s trust may have seemed essential for addressing Brexit’s impact. However, the priority now must shift to urgent, committed solidarity with democratic Europe in defending democracy against these escalating threats. #PressFreedom #Democracy #Europe #Georgia #RuleOfLaw #Autocracy #MediaFreedom #Solidarity #StandWithDemocracy #HumanRights #ProtectDemocracy #DefendEurope #GlobalDemocracy”

Events organized in Tbilisi and Kutaisi by the SMCG and EuroTalk in support of Europe in Georgia and to counter Russian Disinformation, attended by experts, civil society members, students.

Founding Member of SMCG Dr. Nina Shengelia's meetung with the Vice-President of #EuropeanCommission Věra Jourová in Riga, Latvia at Disinfo2024 organised by the EU Disinfo Lab

Meeting with the State Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Diana Janse at the 2024 Tbilisi International Conference, hosted by the McCain Institute for International Leadership and the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)

Founding Member of SMCG, Dr. Nina Shengelia has been selected to as an experts by international organisation IMS, tasked tasked to offer recommendations about a best way forward for a tailored implementation of DSA-inspired legislation in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The international conference “Regulating Online Disinformation: Comparative Perspectives” was founded by disinformation expert and founding member of the Social Media Council of Georgia (SMCG), Nina Shengelia, alongside Edoardo Celeste, a professor at Dublin City University. The conference aims to address the challenges of regulating online disinformation across various countries, providing a platform for academics, policymakers, and experts to discuss and compare different national approaches. Presentation by Nina Shengelia

Nina Shengelia, disinformation expert and founding member of the Social Media Council of Georgia (SMCG), recently recorded an insightful podcast with Marko Mihkelson, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Parliament. The discussion centered around the geopolitical challenges faced by Georgia, its potential for European integration, and the ongoing threat posed by Russian influence. Mihkelson shared his perspectives on the critical role that Estonia, as an EU member state, plays in supporting Georgia’s European aspirations. He emphasized the importance of Georgia’s alignment with European values and institutions, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader struggle for democracy in the region. The conversation also touched on the importance of combating disinformation, a subject close to Shengelia’s expertise, and its impact on both internal political stability and Georgia’s international standing. Listeners can expect a deep dive into how smaller Eastern European nations like Estonia can assist Georgia in navigating the complex dynamics of Russian interference and the EU’s hesitations in offering full membership to countries with ongoing political instability. The podcast serves as a powerful tool for understanding the delicate balance between national sovereignty, European integration, and the external pressures from Russia and other regional actors.

On August 7th, Nina Shengelia, a disinformation expert and founding member of the Social Media Council of Georgia (SMCG), engaged in a compelling conversation with Zigimantas Pavilionis, the Vice Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The dialogue delved deeply into Georgia’s political challenges and its future prospects for European integration. Pavilionis outlined several critical points: 📍Georgia’s Sovereignty: He emphasized that Georgia has already lost its sovereignty and now only maintains a formal semblance of independence. 📍Chinese Influence: Pavilionis noted that while Russia’s direct control has diminished, Georgia is increasingly under China’s influence. 📍Soviet-style Peace: He described the peace under the Georgian Dream government as a “Soviet peace,” similar to the controlled calm of a concentration camp or prison, where citizens lack true freedom. 📍Russian Peace as Enslavement: Pavilionis strongly condemned any notion of relying on Russian assurances of peace, equating it to slavery, citing Russia’s long history of violence and occupation. 📍Lithuania’s Success: Pavilionis pointed to Lithuania’s thriving economy, with wages and GDP per capita far exceeding those of Russia, as evidence of the benefits of European alignment and independence. 📍Georgia’s European Future: Pavilionis urged Georgians to reflect on whether they are willing to wait 20 more years for NATO and EU membership while Russia continues its advance. 📍No EU or NATO Membership with Current Leadership: He argued that with the current government in place, Georgia will never achieve membership in the EU or NATO, as European countries no longer wish to support nations aligning with Russia. 📍The Importance of Elections: Pavilionis stressed the upcoming elections as a pivotal moment for Georgia’s future in Europe, warning that Hungary’s alliance with Russia would prevent EU and NATO membership for Georgia. 📍EU Membership Reality: He dismissed the idea that the EU would “open all doors” to Georgia, pointing out that each member state has a veto, and no one is willing to support Georgian integration under the current government. 📍Impact of Ukraine’s Struggle: Pavilionis warned that if Ukraine loses its battle with Russia, Georgia’s future will also be at risk. 📍Shifting Alliances: Pavilionis noted that Armenia, in contrast, is growing more open to cooperation with the West, while Georgia’s relations with Russia and China are deepening. This discussion, facilitated by Nina Shengelia, highlights the urgent need for Georgia to reassess its political direction and the importance of the upcoming elections in determining its future in Europe.