IAGJ urges Georgian government to respect independent media

Government threatens one more oppositional TV station with the shutdown

(Source: IAGJ) On July 28, 2004 Justice Ministry officially notified the Caucasus on the possible arrest of the company's assets. Administration of the TV station asserts that the Justice Ministry is simply acting under the governmental order and drives at shutting the company.

The ground of confrontation between the government and Caucasus is the latter's debt owing to the Georgian TV & Radio Center which is equal to 12 728 GEL (around 6 000 USD). However, strangely enough under the Tbilisi court decision passed on March 31, 2004 the TV station still has enough time to cover the debt with the deadline until the end of 2005.

The independent TV station blames the Georgian government in placing pressure on the independent media purposefully. Last month president Saakashvili forgave the pro governmental Rustavi 2 TV station 9 mln debt owing to state budget.

According to the Krtsanisi - Mtatsminda regional court decision dated March 31, 2004 the company was to cover the debt within one year paying 1925 GEL monthly. In case the company violates the verdict the court's decision must be executed fully which means coverage of total debt or arresting the TV Company's assets.

Nino Jangirashvili, head of the Caucasus Information Service state that their independent media organization faces increasingly growing number of problems after the Rose Revolution.

"After the so called Rose Revolution our TV channel is placed under total financial blockade. Fearing the government's rage none of the business companies dare place ad in our TV station which was one of the most important sources of income to us. Everybody who resists following the governmental interests is declared an enemy" - Jangirashvili declared.
Vika Qavzharadze, chief press officer of the Justice Ministry declared on July 29 in interview with Georgian Times that the Executive Bureau officials act in full compliance with the law and any debatable issue will be brought to the court for final decision.

IAGJ with its more than 150 members is deeply concerned about the campaign launched against the Caucasus TV station. The association considers the action of the justice ministry politically motivated and blames it in performing the governmental order.

Against the background of public statements made by the Georgian president concerning respect of freedom of speech the threats of TV station shutdown is a total confusion. Georgian Chief Executive's support rendered to one TV station and his careless attitude towards another makes us think that he doesn't appreciate the freedom of speech" - Zviad Pochkhua, president of the IAJG says.

The IAJG calls on country's top officials to respect freedom of speech. Otherwise we run a risk of facing the deficit of alternative opinions which poses a major threat to the freedom of speech in general.

The IAJG reminds the government of the article of Universal Declaration of Human Rights according to which "Everyone has the right to the freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
After the Rose Revolution 2 independent TV stations (Iberia and Channel 9) and 5 newspapers were closed down.

On August 2 criminal police in the Shida Kartli region of Georgia detained Revaz Okruashvili, alleging the possession and selling of illegal substances by the accused. Later on August 4 the court sentenced Okruashvili to a 3 month pre-trial detention, triggering public protest in Shida Kartli. On 6 August the court released Revaz Okruashvili. Chairwoman of Young Lawyers' Association of Georgia accused the authorities and law enforcement bodies of Georgia of pressuring the media.

On August 1 Adjara TV ceased to broadcast.

On July 20 an editorial office of the oppositional newspaper Akhali Versia (New Version) was robbed. PCs and documents including entire photo archive were taken away.
On July 14, 2004 Financial Police entered the Georgian Times holding without any special court warrant and made the search. World Press Freedom Committee, Committee to protect Journalists, International Press Institute and Independent Association of Georgian Journalists strongly protested against this fact. The OSCE undertook to investigate the case which took place in the GT.

For more information please contact Zviad Pochkhua. Phone: +995 99 96 52 52 /
Email: iagj@ip.osgf.ge / http://www.iagj.org.ge

Iindependent Association of Georgian Journalists founded by the group of profesional journalists. It was created in order to solve the issues concerning Journalists' professional activities, also to protect pluralistic democracy and internationally recognized human rights. Association is independent from all kinds of ideological, governmental, political and religious bodies.

IAGJ represents more than 150 journalists in Georgia.
All the activities and regulations of the Association is in accordance with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Georgian Constitution.
The association relates and cooperates with all those non - governmental and governmental organizations, which can take part in the development at independent media.
IAGJ is a member of IFJ, CASCFEN, CRINGO.

IAGJ is the member of International Federation of Journalists