The first English-language radio station in Georgia launched its programmes on 12 April. Radio GIPA is on the air in the FM radio band at 94.3MHz.
According to reports, Radio GIPA’s main target audience is English-speaking listeners. The radio station will air news once an hour as well as public-political and music programmes. It will also re-broadcast National Public Radios programmes from the USA. The radio station also plans to start re-broadcasting European radio stations in the near future, including material from Radio Netherlands.
GIPA was founded by the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. According to the founders, the radio station will pursue professional standards of journalism. The particular attention will be paid to open discussion of issues that are significant for Georgia and South Caucasus as a whole. The long-term goal of the radio station is to become a regional public broadcaster of the South Caucasus.
The Polish Embassy in Georgia procured the equipment for the radio station and US Embassy invited American consultants.