10.06.2011

Nino AbzianidzePhD. Student

E-Mail: nineza_abzianidze@hotmail.comTelefon: +41 (0) 44 634 501Adresse: Affolternstrasse 56, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland Internet: http://www.nccr-democracy.uzh.ch

“Perception of Abkhaz as Enemy by Georgian Print Media in

1991-93”

Table of contents

I. Introduction

I.II Aim of the research

I.III Research Question and Hypothesis

I.IV Methodology

II. Theoretical Framework

III. Case study

IV.I Identification of perceptions of Abkhaz by Georgian media in 1991-93

IV. II Uncertainty of the enemy image – stable or unsteady?

iV. Conclusions

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Introduction

Why Abkhaz?

• Problem of Abkhazia still significant • Returning land factor of people

Why perceptions?

• Crucial role of a well-defined image of the enemy• Georgians vs. ???

Why medi

a?

• Perceptions may vary according to the different layers of society

• Print media as one of the social groups

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Aim of the Research

Identify how Abkhaz were perceived by the Georgian print media in

1991-93

How well-defined was perception of

the enemy image?

At what extent did the enemy image imply

Abkhaz?Was the

perception of the enemy image affected by the

government changes?

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Research Questions and Hypothesis

How well-defined were perceptions of Abkhaz as enemy by the Georgian print media in 1991-93?

- Abkhaz as an ethnic group

- Abkhaz as separatists

Did the government change affect perception of Abkhaz as the enemy?

Perception of the enemy by Georgian print media was not well defined i.e. was uncertain. Though, Abkhaz people were not perceived as enemy

Despite the change of governments, uncertainty of the enemy image was maintained. Though, the state of war could have affected certain aspects of perceptions.

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Research Period

• 1991-1993

– Divided into three time periods

• Gamsakhurdia period – June-December, 1991• Military/State Council period – January-Sept., 1992• Shevardnadze period – October-September, 1993

Division made according to the government changes

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Methodology The Case Study – “Literary Georgia” – sample of 122 articles

Arguments:• Tribune of writers, scholars and

other public figures

Published more analytical than news-based articles.

• As a result of government change in 1991-92 editorial stuff was changed ( editorial stuffs supported existing Gov.)

Definitions:• Articles for analyzes –

articles, which concern issue of Abkhazia, including those, which concern the issue at the smallest extent

• Analytical articles – articles, which along with the facts contain assessments and analyzes on a certain issue.

• Data – citations of certain parts of relative articles.

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Theoretical Framework

• Postulates of the CONSTRUCTIVIST approach and the IMAGE THEORY

• combined in the book “Face of the Foe” (2010) by Kjeld Hald Galster.

– Twofold dimension of the enemy image

– Problem of uncertainty over the enemy image

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Theoretical Framework

Enemy Image

Tangible component Intangible component

Intelligence Deep-rooted pers.

Abkhaz as separatists Abkhaz as ethnic group

Uncertainty about the enemy

Multi-faceted enemy

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1st part – Identification of the perception of Abkhaz by Georgian print media

Two steps of observation

• Abkhaz as ethnic group

• Abkhaz as political separatists

• Did the perception of Abkhaz depict clear picture of the ENEMY?

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1st part – Identification of the perception of Abkhaz by Georgian print media

Abkhaz as ethnic group

• „Genuine Christian Abkhaz of Georgian origins“

• „Islamist Absua came from North Caucasus in XVI and XVII centuries“

Citation for Evidence:

“In order to restore historical justice I think it is necessary to restore

ancient name of Georgian inhabitants of Abkhazia and to

call them Georgian Abkhaz. And those, whom we call Abkhaz

today, should be called Absua

Abkhaz.”(Sulakauri, 1993. “We should call Georgian

Abkhaz and Absua Abkhaz”, April 2, p. 3)

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1st part – Identification of the perception of Abkhaz by Georgian print media

Abkhaz as political separatists

• „Separatists“ – political elite, not the Abkhazian people

• „Abkhaz political elite – provocateur of separatist sentiments among Abkhaz people“

• Abkhaz people – „Brothers“ and „Friends“

Citation for Evidence:

Unfortunately, we have to say that some politicians with no ability of

foresight still push diligent and high moral Abkhaz man to

confront Georgians”.(Tasoev, 1992, “Tomorrow could be late!

March 8, p. 10)

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1st part – Identification of the perception of Abkhaz by Georgian print media

Ethnic Group

Abkhaz

VS.

Absua

Separatists

Ordinary people

VS.

Political elite

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1st part – Identification of the perception of Abkhaz by Georgian print media

Multi-faceted

image of the enemy

Enemy #1 – “Absua

Separatists”

Enemy #2 - Former President and his

supporters

Enemy #3 – Confederation of

Mountainous People

Enemy #4 - Russia

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2nd part – Uncertainty of the enemy image – stable or unsteady?

Step 1

Content analyze of the last articles of each period

enemy image in the conflict remained uncertain along the whole research period

Step 2

Trends of slight change in perceptions

Previously

“Abkhaz politicians” and “Absua separatists”

After

“Abkhaz man” and “Abkhaz” tend to become part of the enemy image

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Conclusion

– Hypothesis proved• By combination results of

observing “Abkhaz as ethnic group” and “Abkhaz as separatists” and adding to this all the components that enemy image implied, a picture of multifaceted enemy, which does not include “indigenous Abkhaz people” is obvious.

– Hypothesis proved• Government change did

not affect major trends of perceptions of Abkhaz by the print media, i.e. multi-faceted enemy image remained uncertain. The state of war definitely caused some trends of slight change, which contributed to the uncertain and multifaceted enemy image once more.

Part 1 Part 2

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Perspective for PhD project

Aim:– Generalizing research

– Extending time and scope of the research

– Adding comparative component

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Perspective for PhD project

Shaping Political Identities through Mass Media in Post-War SettingsA Comparative Study of the Caucasus and the Western Balkans

– Cases of Georgia and Bosnia-Herzegovina

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Perspective for PhD project

Focus on representation not the perception

Proposed RQ:

– Do media contribute to the reconciliation of the warring parties in the post-war environment?

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Perspective for PhD project

Case of Georgia

• Focus on war periods – 1991-1996/2006-2011

• Abkhaz + South Ossetians

• More representative media

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Perspective for PhD project

Proposed methodology:

– Content Analyzes

– Quantitative approach

– Survey

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Questions

– Is this rough picture of the PhD project on the right track?

– What would be your suggestions concerning methodology?

– What would be your suggestions for further steps?

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Thank you!