Failure to Fully Implement Goals Was the Reason to Resign, Gia Chanturia

Media.ge 

The Board of Trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) has, with majority consent, upheld Gia Chanturia’s statement on resignation from his post as GPB’s Director General. Gia Chanturia reported live on Imedi TV over the issue. According Chanturia the failure to fully implement his goals set when coming to the broadcaster was the reason to resign.

 “The plan was not carried out within the due term in a way it was outlined. When failing to execute the plans of the kind, at least partially, it would be a right decision to give your seat to someone else,” Chanturia said.

According to the plan a new structure was to be set up but he failed to catch up with whatever he had for an object. Reporting to Imedi TV journalist Gia Chanturia said there are some things that anyone else would not have done better than him but there are some other things the new director might do better and help the television advance.

 “I have been heading this channel for three years, the broadcaster has surely made progress. This is the only broadcaster that enabled the society to make a right choice at the previous and recent elections. Right after my coming into power we started working on a 6-year plan that was to help the channel develop. It was quite an interesting plan agreed with the European broadcaster,” said GPB’s former Director General.

Chanturia also discussed the GPB funds. He, former GPB head said, fulfilled his obligation and prior to quitting his job providing the Board with the budget 2013 which is complete, he stressed.

 “As regards the probe conducted by the Ministry of Finance the Ministry should decide in January whether to restructure the debt or not. “It’s an ordinary and usual process,” he added.

FYI, the Public Broadcaster has a liability of GEL 3 mln to the State budget 2012. The Public Broadcaster is due to pay the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) the second tranche of restructured debt of EUR 758, 820 which amounts to GEL 2.2 mln including taxes. The Broadcaster also needs to get the current payables funded, that were generated due to the arrears accumulated for the technical equipment of the Parliament building in Kutaisi, as well as exit polls held for the Parliamentary elections 2012 and some other unexpected expenses.

Gia Chanturia recommended the Board GPB’s Technical Director Giorgi Baratashili to assume his responsibilities.

 “Giorgi has been working here since childhood and I am sure for a month he will secure unhampered operation of the channel. Within a month the Board will elect a new TV chief,” said Chanturia.

According to the Georgian Law on Broadcasting “The Board of Governors shall, by means of open competition, appoint a Director General for 6 years of tenure. An open competition for the post of Director General and the subsequent appointment of a Director General shall be carried out within one month of vacancy arising.”

In 2008 Giorgi Chanturia was appointed GPB Deputy Director General and afterwards Director General. Throughout years he had been cooperating with the film studio Kartuli Filmi and radio 105. He was the co-author, scriptwriter and director of the first political cartoon series Dardubala, founder of the Vasha studio. He also collaborated with TV company Rustavi 2. Within the same period he was the co-anchor of the GPB First Channel project Musical Octagon.