The RFE/RL Tbilisi Hackathon is a 24-hour event bringing together journalists, coders and designers to innovate and build digital prototypes in support of media freedom. The Hackathon will be held on September 4th and 5th at Fabrika in Tbilisi, Georgia. RFE/RL journalists report the news in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.
Authoritarian governments increasingly seek to suppress the free flow of information by limiting access to the Internet by blocking information, filtering content, enhancing surveillance tactics, and other forms of censorship.
The RFE/RL Hackathon will help to increase resilience to censorship and surveillance by developing technology to empower individuals in the digital sphere, to enhance freedom of information, and to bolster abilities to freely access the Internet.
Journalists (students or professionals), designers, and coders.
September 4th, 5th 2021. Fabrika, 8 Egnate Ninoshvili St,, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Yes! Attendance, food, and swag is all completely free! 💸
All participants must comply with the Covid-19 rules valid in Georgia during the period of RFE/RL Hackathon (thus 4-5 September 2021). The current rules, valid as of July 9, 2021, can be found here http://www.moh.gov.ge/ or https://stopcov.ge/en/
Unfortunately, we cannot provide travel reimbursements.
In the event of a change of plans or an emergency, we will contact you via email. You can also follow us on Twitter for updates.
No. To maintain competition integrity and fairness, all work on your hack must be done at the event.
There will be multiple meals scheduled throughout the event. Drinks and snacks will also be available, and one free drink at the afterparty. 🌯 ☕️
Yes! You’ll have the choice of choosing a project within our theme of Internet Freedom. The hack you decide to do must fall within the track that you choose.
The maximum team size is five people. All projects must start from scratch at the start of the hacking period and completed by the designated time. All participants must follow the enforced Code of Conduct.
Yes! See above.
We allow team sign ups of up to five people as long as you have a journalist on your team. All team members must sign up individually and you can specify team members on your application.
Bring your laptop, chargers, a valid ID, and comfortable clothes. We also recommend a sleeping bag and pillow so you can take advantage of our designated napping zones 😴
Yes.
Got more questions? Get in touch!
RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages and 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate. With over 600 full-time journalists, 1,300 freelancers, and 21 local bureaus, RFE/RL is one of the most comprehensive news operations in the world.
RFE/RL is registered with the IRS as a private, nonprofit Sec. 501(c)3 corporation, and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) as a private grantee. RFE/RL's editorial independence is protected by U.S. law.
