Statement by Georgian Journalistic Ethic Charter

Georgian Journalistic Ethic Charter is concerned about the incident that took place on May 1 in Rustaveli Avenue during which law enforcement officers detained several journalists including TV 9’s reporter Zviad Khujadze and journalist Ani Chankotadze of the Liberali magazine together with the organizers of the rally.

Both media outlets allege their employees were conducting professional activities in Rustaveli Avenue. When being detained they clarified to police officers that they were journalists. Journalists attending the incident allege police officers had interfered in their professional activities.

The Georgian Journalistic Ethic Charter calls on the law enforcement bodies to act in accordance to the law, avoid interference into media representatives’ professional activities and in a timely manner clarify to the society the ground of journalists’ detention. The Charter hopes the Ministry of Internal Affairs will immediately release the detained journalists and calls on law enforcement officers to study possible violation of rights of media representatives by police officers.

Media.ge