A Thomson-Reuters Foundation workshop for Parliamentary press officers and spokesmen for parties set the stage for improving information flows ahead of late-May local elections.
Jointly sponsored by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the seminar was part of an initiative to strengthen parliaments and democracies.
Eight participants gathered on some cold and rainy days at the Georgia Institute for Public Affairs to learn how to improve communications with journalists and the public in Georgia.
Said Nino Daniela, one of the Institute's teachers working alongside Thomson-Reuters trainer Keith Stafford: "This is a very important time for Georgia. People are heading for an important vote and need better information to make sensible informed choices."
The week-long course covered general media communications, writing meaningful handouts, interviewing skills, and how to handle news conferences. Another leader was Institute lecturer Baadur Koplatadze.
Georgi Pataraia, Press officer for the Parliamentary Majority said during the course: "The interview structures you gave us have been very interesting."
The group absorbed advice from senior communications officials from companies such as British Petroleum which is actively developing energy projects in Georgia.
Also, each participant delivered - nervously - their first televised interviews.
"I was amazed to realise how difficult it is to practically perform even though you know the theory," said Marina Berdzenadze, senior specialist at Georgia's Press Centre.
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