The Role of Media in the Era of Crises: Destabilization and Reorganization of Order in the Process of Democratic Transformation (1996–2013)

Abstract

The presented study explores the role of Georgian print media in the era of crises. It examines how media participates in shaping political and social order during the period of Georgia’s democratic state formation (1996–2013). The aim of the research is to analyze how media discourse evolved under conditions of crises and destabilization, within the broader context of institutional reforms. The study covers an extensive period of nearly two decades marked by significant political and economic transformations. While the qualitative characteristics of media may not always change drastically over time, the years 1996–2013 represent a crucial phase of transformation, making them particularly relevant for assessing the role of media. The theoretical framework of the study is based on Everett Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory, according to which mass media function as key agents in the dissemination of new ideas within society. In the Georgian context, the media underwent profound transformations: it evolved as an institution while simultaneously shaping societal value orientations. Georgian print media extended beyond the mere dissemination of information and actively participated in processes of value transformation. Within this paradigm, the media is conceptualized as an institution functioning as an early indicator of political processes, often signaling emerging crises in advance. Based on expert interviews conducted within the framework of the study, the concept of the “symptomatology of media discourse” is also introduced, which is grounded in the principle of “diagnostics.” According to this concept, individual signs and messages appearing in the press may be perceived as “symptoms,” which eventually develop into symptomatology and a systemic syndrome. The interpretation of dispersed messages in the press - political confrontation, contradictions, and signs of crisis - within a unified context also created the possibility of forecasting processes. This is particularly evident in the analysis of destabilization processes. Based on expert interviews, it can be said that the press prepared the ground for certain events—just as a small stone can trigger an avalanche, dispersed messages created an information flow and influenced the formation of public opinion. Particular importance was attached to analytical articles, which contributed to identifying cause-and-effect relationships and forecasting political and social processes. Issues of public relevance first appeared in agenda-setting publications and were later disseminated through television and other media platforms. Using purposive sampling, the study examines the following newspapers: "Kviris Palitra", "7 Dge", "Akhali 7 Dge", "Asaval-Dasavali". The research is grounded in an interdisciplinary methodological framework that combines thematic content analysis, framing analysis, critical discourse analysis, and semi-structured interviews. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the enrichment of empirical material through in-depth interviews. Expert analyses provide a practical framework that can assist contemporary Georgian media in reassessing its role in the process of democratization. The study period is divided into three main phases. The first phase (1996–2002), referred to as the period of “liberation of speech” and diffusion of innovations, is characterized by the rise of print media and the establishment of media as a relatively free institution. The second phase (2003–2008), in the context of reforms, is marked by the incorporation of liberal rhetoric and “innovations” into official political discourse, alongside increasing political influence over the media. The third phase (2009–2013) reflects deepening political polarization and the rapid development of digital media, which led to a decline in the influence of print media. In the context of media capitalism and the digital era, information became increasingly subject to marketing interests, while communication turned more algorithm-driven, decentralized, and fragmented. The results of the study show that the media functioned as a key disseminator of democratic values and actively participated in covering processes of destabilization, highlighting its central role in periods of transformation. The media contributed to the formation of a new social and political order and alongside reflecting reality, served as an important mechanism for societal consolidation during times of crisis. At the same time, in certain cases, it influenced political processes. The study of Georgian media in the context of crises and destabilization processes provides an important empirical foundation for further research on the role of media in democratization.