Next Stop – Turkmenistan

Georgia is ranked 94th in an annual worldwide index of press freedom issued by the Paris-based lobby group for media rights Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders). The report indicates the state of press freedom in a total of 167 countries. In last year’s similar report, which included a total of 166 countries, Georgia was ranked 73rd. To our regret, this is a fair estimation. At present freedom of speech is much more restricted in Georgia, than in Armenia, the latter being well known for suppression on mass media but still takes 83-rd place in this racing. 

Post-revolutionary Georgia becomes a standard-bearer of oppression on free media. The latter’s existence becomes ever more doubtful on a dail basis. Interesting and important programs and newspapers are shut down. A reform of television and newspaper is underway in the country. Some programs of high rating have ceasedto exist; among them “Gamis Kurieri” (Night Courier) led by Eka Khoperia, “Tema” (Theme) – by George Gomiashvili, “Gamis Mzera” (Night View) – by Inga Grigolia. Authorities do not contend themselves with closing programs of high rating and realize their power by putting an end to various independent tv stations through direct or indirect oppression (“9-e Arkhi” (9th Channel) , Iberia…); court trials of media representatives do not cease (Zurab Zhvania against “Tavisufali gazeti” Free Newspaper)… All this will lead to an absence of political programs. The government keeps everybody silent in a secret way (of course, the owners of media organizations do not want to cause problems for themselves and would rather reckon with the authorities).

There are disturbing changes in printing media as well. Newspapers like: “Mtavari Gazeti” (Main Newspaper), “Dilis Gazeti” (Morning Newspaper) “Akhali Epoka” (New Epoch), “Tribuna” (Tribune) have closed. It is surprising that “Tavisufali Gazeti” (Free Newpaper) and “Georgian Times” are still being printed. They have tried to annihilate the “Georgian Times” by means of financial policing; it has been accused of financial machination, tax evasion and falsification of financial documents. At the same time, high-ranking officials have claimed, that “G.T.” was a nest of blackmailers and criminals. However, no evidence was found. Nevertheless, the “Georgian Times” still continuous to live. On the other hand, the Regional Court has satisfied Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania’s action against “Tavisufali Gazei” (Free Newspaper). It is of great interest who is going to be the next target. The objective “law-court” watching everything without pink eyeglasses and estimates the current events of our country passes a not so enviable sentence – Georgia steps back from the 73rd footstep to the 94th and moves away from the prospect of democratic development.