Appeal of Georgian Media Club

GEORGIAN MEDIA CLUB

To:

Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Diplomatic Corps accredited in Georgia

International Organizations operating in Georgia

International Organizations for Protection of Journalists’ Rights

Georgian Government

We regret to note that the principles of freedom of speech and expression declared by new Georgian government after the Rose Revolution have remained just revolution slogans. It was the support of mass media that contributed to the great extent to National Movement coming to power a year and a half ago. At that time, most of us, mass media people, thought that new government would support the existence of strong and free media, and would create a significant legislative basis for its future development and protection. We thought that actions of Georgian government would constantly and firmly be directed towards protection of freedom of speech and means of mass media as democracy is based on  freedom of speech and pluralism of opinions. Correspondingly, we though that the actions of the government would be directed towards strengthening the guarantees for independence of media, but what has happened since, was directly opposite to our expectations: from the very first days since Rose Revolution, government launched attacks against media. A court case of then Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania against “Tavisupali Gazeti”, spanning over several months, is one good example of this. During the year and a half since revolution, we have witnessed the government’s  pressure upon media  many times – several newspapers and TV companies have disappeared from Georgian media space (TV Company “Iberia”, newspapers “Akhali Epoka”, “Dilis Gazeti”, “Mtavari Gazeti”, magazine “Omega”, news agency “Inter-Press”), major analytical shows were closed down (“Gamis Kurieri”, “Gamis Mzera”, “60 Tsuti”, “Ra Khdeba”, “Time Out”, “Zeitnot“), even  at present, the features that are not acceptable to this or that representative of government are removed from air.  

TV companies that they [government] accuse of having low ratings are not allowed to the briefings and official meetings, representatives of newspapers, radios and [other] means of mass media are ignored, and the latter manage to get press conferences of the Head of State only in rare cases.

Means of mass-media operating in the regions also experience problems, as their journalists often become victims of local authorities or self-government. There is an especially complicated situation in this regards in Kvemo Kartli, Kakheti, Imereti and Adjara.

Just lately, a ban was introduced on subscription to Georgian newspapers and magazines at state institutions based on verbal assignment of the President. According to the official explanation – state tries to take care of budget expenses, as state officials should not be [spending their time on] reading newspapers.

Last week the counter-media campaign of government representatives has reached dangerous limits. This fury was caused by the events on Rustaveli Avenue that were broadcasted live by all TV companies. On that night, representatives of police have physically assaulted our colleagues – Irakli Gedenidze, Zviad Nikolaishvili and Nato Makhviladze. They threatened to take away camera from photo journalist Gia Abdaladze. Later, on TV, parliamentary majority expressed ungrounded criticism and complains. criticized us  we the journalists went under criticism and accusations from parliamentary majority. They didn’t even hesitate to threat us in presence of many thousands of viewers. 

Government representatives often claim that media is doing self-censorship and by saying this, they try to cover up own desire to control everyone and everything in Georgian media space. Statements made by them were direct and undisguised attempts to establish censorship of the media.  Correspondingly, all the talk about self-censorship of journalists is just a myth invented by the government, to cover up own approach to media and generate distrust in each of us among the society.

We, journalists working in Georgia, declare that the government tries to intervene in and control our activities; to ban information that is not wanted for them from getting on air and on newspaper pages; prevent us from collecting information and spreading it further;  to carry out punitive  measures against the media outlets that contain news, analytical shows or talk-shows broadcasts that government dislikes. All this is proved well once again by the events surrounding TV Company “Mze” and the spread information about its pending close down.

In present-day Georgia, the pressure upon the media and attempts of aggressive interference in its activities definitely do not represent the best indicators of development of growing democratic state. That is why, we appeal to government to abstain from intervening in the activities of independent media and the irresponsible statements that are made by leadership of governing party.

We also appeal to international organisations and diplomatic missions, to be actively involved relations of Georgian government and media and conduct regular monitoring of the serious problems that exist in the country in regards of freedom of speech.

None of us, journalists working in Georgia, has ever lost the sense of objectivity and professional dignity. This is verified by the fact, that despite the numerous attempts of the government, high-rating analytical shows, news bulletins, talk-shows still exist in Georgian media space. Georgian press has a significant trust of the society, as it, despite the significant resistance, manages to sustain the high degree of objectivity. There is a huge corps of journalists that will never allow the offence of their professional dignity and will fight till the end to protect own rights!

1. Magda popiashvili – Journalist, Georgian Media Club
2. Khatuna Kviralashvili – Journalist, Georgian Media Club
3. Irakli Imnaishvili –TV “Mze”, Talk-show “Archevanis Zgvarze”
4. Tamar Katsitadze – Newspaper “24 Hours”
5. Khatuna Jangirashvili –Newspaper “24 Hours”
6. Sopo Bukia – Newspaper “24 Hours”
7. Inga Alavidze –Newspaper “24 Hours”
8. Sopo Chkhaidze –Newspaper “24 Hours”
9. Nino Gomarteli –Newspaper “24 Hours”
10. Maia Urushadze –Newspaper “24 Hours”
11. Dato Ninikashvili –Newspaper “24 Hours”
12. Zviad Koridze –TV “Mze”
13. Marika Bochoridze – Informational Agensy “Inter-pressnews”
14. Tamar Shoshiashvili – Informational Agensy “Inter-pressnews”
15. David Bakhuradze – Informational Agensy “Inter-pressnews”
16. Natia Inauri – Informational Agensy “Inter-pressnews”
17. Rusudan GiGashvili –Newspaper “ Akhali Versia”
18. Nino Kharadze –Newspaper “ Akhali Versia”
19. Malxaz Ramishvili – Newspaper “ Akhali Versia”
20. Eka Tsamalashvili – Radio “Tavisupleba”
21.  Tamar Chikovani – Radio “Tavisupleba”
22. Nino Rodonaia – Radio “Tavisupleba”
23. Nona Mchedlishvili – Radio “Tavisupleba”
24. Gocha Lejava – Radio “Tavisupleba”
25. Kakha Mchedlidze – Radio “Tavisupleba”
26. Nona Khandiashvili – radio “imedi”
27. Eka Vepkhvadze – radio “imedi”
28. Eka Imedadze – radio “imedi”
29. Sopo Khutsishvili – radio “imedi”
30. Misha Peikrishvili – radio “imedi”
31. Tea Shvelidze – radio “imedi”
32. Irma Sinauridze – radio “imedi”
33. Nino Tskvarashvili – radio “imedi”
34. Maia Purtseladze – Newspaper “Kviris Kronika”
35. Manana Giorgadze – Magazine “Kaprizi”
36. Kate Khatiashvili – Newspaper “Alia”
37. Tamaz Bestavashvili – Newspaper “Alia”
38. Eliso Chapidze – Newspaper “Resonanse”
39. Lasha Tugushi – Newspaper “Resonanse”
40. Kate Berikashvili – Newspaper “Resonanse”
41. TamTa Kharchava – Newspaper “Resonanse”
42. Eka Gulua – Newspaper “Resonanse”
43. Manana Mchedlishvili – Newspaper “Resonanse”
44. Nana Mamagulishvili – Radio “Fortune”
45. Ia Mamaladze –Regional Media Association of Georgia, Georgian Media Center
46. Gia Sikharulidze – Newspaper “Guria News”
47. Shalva RamiShvili – TV “202”
48. David Kokhreidze – TV “202”
49. David Abkhazi – TV “202”
50. Goga Kokhreidze – TV “202”
51. Revaz Sakhevarishvili – TV “Imedi”
52. Vakhtang Khomakidze – Studio “Reporter”
53. Maia Kviralashvili – Journalist
54. Lia Iakobashvili – Newspaper “Kviris Palitra”
55. Zviad Chakvetadze – Newspaper “Kviris Palitra”
56. Magda Machavariani – Newspaper “Kviris Palitra”
57. Baia Tsanava – Newspaper “Kviris Palitra”
58. Nino Jangirashvili – TV “Caucasia”
59. Irma Ebralidze – Radio “Imedi”
60. Nino Japaridze – Newspaper “akhali Versia”
61. Manana Iashvili – Journalist
62. Nino Gogoladze – Journalist
63. S. Kikvidze – Journalist
64. Medea Tsereteli – Informational Agensy “Caucas-Press”
65. Khatuna Kiguradze – Informational Agensy “Prime-News”
66. Eka Kevanishvili – Journalist
67. George Saneblidze – TV “Mze”
68. Rusiko Machaidze – Newspaper “Resonanse”
69. Maia Mamulashvili – Newspaper “Kakhetis Khma”, Media Center – Kakheti
70. David Akubardia – TV “Caucasia”
71. Tamar Melkadze – Newspaper “The Georgian Times”
72. Aleksandre Elisashvili – Radio “Tavisupleba”
73. Irina Tsintsadze – Regional Broadcaster’s Association of Georgia
74. Revaz Okruashvili – Newspaper “Resonanse”
75. Malkhaz Gagua – Newspaper “Resonanse”
76. George Giorgadze – Journalist, Analytical Program “sakme”