“Public Figures are openly aggressive towards Journalists”

According to Human Rights Center’s lawyer, Lia Khuroshvili, after local elections, public figures don’t even attempt to hide their aggression towards journalists.

“Some municipality directors think that spreading the municipality information to the entire country is just “bitching”. The region most characterized by this behavior is Dedoplistskaro. This is because the civil sector practically doesn’t exist there.’’ states Khuroshvili. He recalls an incident that occurred on July 3 when the governor of the Dedoplistskaro municipality, Nikoloz Shanshiashvili, damaged the video camera of journalist, Gela Mtivlishvili, while he was performing his professional duties.

“When the region’s governor treats journalists in this fashion and nobody asks him for an explanation, it only reinforces such behavior. Government officials are following this example and are attempting to intimidate journalists as well. Since 2004, only one attack out of ten on journalists has been investigated. The single instance was the assault of radio ’’Hereti’’ director, Ramaz Samkharadze, by former Parliament member, David Kapanadze. After being found guilty by the Court, Kapanadze was appointed to the position of Chamber of Control Administration Director. People can physically assault journalists, fight freedom of speech and still be appointed and promoted on their jobs,’’ said Khuroshvili.