Media Representatives Protest Against Changes in the Tax Code

Media Representatives Protest Against Changes in the Tax Code

Yesterday at the Media-Club, the representatives of the press distribution services, newspaper editors and NGO representatives met each other in order to discuss problems created by the December 27th changes to the Tax Code. According to these changes, Newspaper kiosks must now install cash registers and as a result newspaper kiosks were closed. 

Mass media representatives consider that the limitations on press distribution services will mean bad consequences for newspapers. The NGO community also shares this point of view.

“The real aim of the government is prevent freedom of the press. Over the last 2 years, we have observed several cases of pressure on the media. Since December, the Patrol Police have been terrorizing those who sell newspaper on a rack in the street. All of these actions are aimed at minimizing free speech in Georgia” said a representative of the “Equality Institute”, Lasha Chkhartishvili. 

The editors of the newspapers also consider the changes as an attack on free speech. According to them, 50% of the printed media was not sold, which is a serious loss for the publishing houses.

The press distribution services are planning to meet the Head of the Budget and Finance Committee in order to discuss these problems. They are asking for exception to the law. “Those who distribute newspapers door to door or sell them on racks in the street are not subject to tax, we ask that the same favor be given to the press kiosks”, said Shalva Okruashvili, the Director of the Matsne Press Distribution Company.

According to the Ministry of Finance, changes will not be made.

It is now the third day that press kiosks have been closed.

Anna Chkhaidze