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Media Crackdown Means Ordinary Citizens are Hostages of Georgian Government

July 14, 2008

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Georgians have become accustomed to surprises. Each and every day in Georgia starts out with stories of somebody’s property being illegally taken or how some families were expelled from their homes. It is also common to hear stories about TV Companies or individual TV programs being closed down or changed in its programming direction. The Georgian government is getting rid of everything that creates some obstacle in its way.

Several days ago, one of the correspondents of the TV Company “Mze” joked with colleagues: “We were praising our government, however, they closed us down anyway. I can imagine what they would do with us if had criticized them instead.”

Georgian society cannot hold back its dissatisfaction with the oppression that is being applied on the media. Most interviewed Kutaisi residents think that “the authority tries to threaten people with such tactics this will not bring positive results for the country.”

Tamar Khvadagiani, economist: “The only thing I can tell is that the situation in Georgia is not at all serious.  When the government closes down leading TV projects, and TV Stations (like “PRIMETIME”, who was headed up by the journalist Inga Grigolia as the presenter, and then the case with TV Company “Imedi”), it is clear that we as ordinary citizens face a serious threat. I am very angry and insulted by such events. At least they should have offered some alternative but they cannot actually stand a proactive media and that is why they treat us as they do.”

Thea Meshveliani, Math scientist: “The government wants to keep population in an informational vacuum. The less we know the better is the situation is for them; government authorities do not want any TV Company to properly work in Georgia; they only want to have soap-operas and entertainment programs on TV.”

Lia Kharabadze, journalist: “I do not feel that something new has happened. I always believed that there was not an independent media in Georgia. However, we had more or less independent ones like “Channel 9”, “Imedi”, “Rustavi 2” and “Mze”. These companies managed to provide fair information to some degree. However, after the Rose Revolution everything was turned upside down. “Rustavi 2” became a governmental channel. The rest of the TV companies were closed down. Events on November 7 2007 and suspension of “Imedi” broadcasting was horrible incident. As for closing down of the news program on “Mze”, it was another attempt to oppress the media and to cease the flow of accurate information to the viewing audience.”

Maguli Papaladze, journalist: “Current situation is the beginning of something bad. Decisions in this country are made unilaterally. Everybody fears to express his/her opinion and nobody in position of authority really cares about public opinion. They aim to eliminate democracy in the country. Oppression on TV companies and media in general demonstrates their real aims. If there is any semblance of democracy left in Georgia than it is fading away day-by-day.”

Tamaz Machaladze, retired person: “Pay attention to on-going situation in the country. We have tense relationship with Russia, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia). We are at the edge of a disaster and it is only natural that the government does not want the people to know everything about what is now happening. They have their “Rustavi 2” station and from here they can deliver the information as they see fit. Instead we can watch lots of mindless soap-operas and we can enjoy the summertime.”

Malkhaz Gordadze, financier: “What can I say about the situation? It is disaster; people are disregarded, insulted and even mocked … they do their best to persuade people that there is no use to resist the censorship. Everything will remain in the country according to their will and nobody really cares about simple people. Oppression on media means that “Rose Government” is threatening us and wants to keep us as hostages. We, ordinary citizens are hostages of the government.”

Madona Loladze, teacher: “Does anybody care what people think in this country? I am really very surprised that you, journalists are asking ordinary people what we think of on-going situation in the country and about the suppressed media. It is very nice that somebody is curious about public opinion but as for the facts - all what is happening is just horrible. Until now the authority kept is blinded (despite the murder of Sandro Girgvliani by those closest to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and there have been other such occurrences. Nonetheless, the government continues to claim they have done everything to protect human rights and are engaged in the building of democracy). Do they really think that we are not deaf to all what is going on?

It is tragedy and the results will bring no good to Georgia.”


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