Association of Regional Media Protests Oppression on Newspaper “Batumelebi”

Association of Regional Media of Georgia released statement about the oppression on the newspaper “Batumelebi”.

Association of the Regional Media of Georgia protests determined policy of blackmailing towards independent regional media sources; oppression has increased recently and turned into an unbearable psychological oppression.

“Latest obvious example of the oppression is a campaign against newspaper “Batumelebi” with various methods of blackmailing to win the journalists over.”
“We have appealed to the society several times and warned them that with upcoming elections, attacks on media sources with independent editorial policy and impartial professionalism will increase. Unfortunately, our prognosis was not followed with corresponding resonance of concrete incidents, proper reaction and solidarity.”

“We do not hope the truth will be estimated now, because in strictly centralized governmental system nothing happens without permission from “high-ranking officials”. As for media and other organizations, which protect the media, they cannot create mechanisms for consolidation and effective defensive mechanisms” it is mentioned in the statement of the association.

Association of Regional Media of Georgia calls upon everybody, who cares about the existence of independent newspapers, free word and expression, freedom of choice in Georgia, to immediately express their opinion about the facts.

Kakheti News Centre joins the statement of the Association and supports editorial board of the newspaper “Batumelebi”. We appeal to the chief prosecutor of Georgia Murtaz Zodelava and Georgian Public Defender Giorgi Tughushi to start immediate investigation of the fact.

Source: Kakheti News Centre