Business Time, a local media outlet focused on business and the economy, is preparing to launch a new column dedicated to the experiences of Georgians living outside of Georgia. Miranda Shurgaia, the Editor of Business Time, informed Golden Brand that this platform will include in-depth interviews with individuals sharing their personal journeys.

The column will begin with a special correspondent based in Italy, with plans to expand coverage through correspondents in several other countries.

“While Business Time primarily focuses on business and economics, we also acknowledge the significance of social issues and personal stories, which are essential to our audience,” she said.

Q. Miranda, let’s start the interview by a little about yourself. How did you find your way into the media field, and how did you become the editor of Business Time?

A. I am a journalist by profession. In 2008 I began working as a correspondent at the news agency PirWeli, where my colleague was Levan Chitanava, who is now the host of Radio Maestro, the editor-in-chief of the magazine BusinessTime Georgia, and the founder and director of the news agency BusinessTime. After several years I took a break to study abroad. When I returned to Georgia, Levan offered me a position at BusinessTime, and I gladly accepted. I’m happy to have joined the team during a time of growth for the agency.

Q. During your time as the editor of Business Time, what major achievements are you particularly proud of?

A. When I started at Business Time, it was new and unfamiliar to many people. Today that is no longer the case; awareness and reader interest have significantly increased. It’s essential for us to provide balanced, verified information to our audience. Gaining trust takes time, but losing it does not. We fully understand this responsibility and are grateful to everyone who engages with our platform. We deeply value their time and trust. All of this is important to us. I believe that I, along with our team, have made a significant contribution to the development of Business Time and to earning that trust.

Q. Business Time focuses primarily on business and economic trends. What topics are particularly interesting to your readers today?

A. Our focus is on business and economics, although social issues are also very relevant. Personal stories, video clips where individuals share their challenges and experiences, are highly valued by our audience.

Q. What are the main challenges you face in the media industry today, and how are you addressing them?

A. Since 2025, the primary challenge we have encountered is the influx of advertising revenue, which has been affected by recent legislative changes. This issue is not only affecting our media outlet but is a concern for many independent media organizations that rely solely on advertising for funding.

Q. What strategies and approaches do you use to engage your readers and increase their interaction with your content?

A. Social media plays a crucial role in this regard. Active participation in various online groups increases site traffic and boosts our ratings. Sharing compelling news in these active communities has a significant impact. თrust is vital; readers need assurance that behind an intriguing headline, there is an engaging story waiting for them.

Q. You were planning to add new columns. How is that going?

A. We have indeed added a new column to our website, led by a young journalist who is gaining traction. We believe that this column will soon become one of our most popular features.

As for future plans, we are excited to share that we will soon introduce a new column focused on Georgian emigrants. This column will showcase stories of people living and working outside of Georgia. We will conduct interviews with these individuals to learn about their reasons for emigrating, where they work, and the challenges they face. We will start this initiative with a special correspondent in Italy, who will bring us interesting stories about remarkable people. The decision to create and develop this column was made unanimously by our team, and we are confident that next year we will have much to celebrate regarding its success. After Italy, we plan to have correspondents in other countries as well.

Q. How have the current political processes changed the business environment and the media industry in our country?

A. As I mentioned earlier, the impact has been very negative. In times of instability and unpredictability, businesses typically reassess their operations and often suspend marketing activities at the first sign of trouble. Many businesses have entered a waiting mode and are refraining from excessive activity. This situation directly affects the development of independent and free media, and several legislative changes contribute to this issue. We have had to accurately assess and adapt to this new reality by reducing expenses in certain areas and redistributing our budget accordingly. It’s worth noting that since the founding of Business Time, our advertising budget has consistently grown each year, although this trend changed in 2025.

Q. With the high risk of disinformation, how does Business Time maintain the trust of its readers?

A. We adhere to a fundamental rule in our editorial policy: we never publish unverified information!

Q. What advice would you give to novice journalists?

A. Never give up, never lose your objectivity. Always stay true to your conscience and defend your words. You must believe in your profession and the power of your voice. I believe that dedication and selfless work are the main strengths of a journalist.

Q. Finally, let’s discuss the ongoing cooperation between Business Time and Golden Brand.

A. Our collaboration has become a tradition, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I hope we can continue this partnership for many more years. I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers of the Golden Brand and emphasize the importance of their work. Business needs initiatives like this, as they provide significant encouragement to the private sector. When businesses remain strong, free media will also thrive. Golden Brand serves as a stimulus and support that the business community greatly values and appreciates.