Media Advocacy Coalition
The coalition has been informed that the management of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) has made a decision to close down Real Space program. It also plans to close down other public and political programs aired on GPB as well as to carry out mass dismissal of its employees.
Real Space is a truly public platform in its essence; it is one of the successful talk shows in Georgian media space, which provides in-depth, comprehensive discussion of the most topical and persisting issues. Just therefore, the project has been recognized and awarded a number of professional prizes.
The coalition supposes that not a single program aired on GPB should be closed down until the decision makers justify their decisions on closing down these programs and provide a particular programming of what they will offer their viewers in exchange. In 2017, the country will hold municipal elections, constitutional reform is underway. Georgian Public Broadcaster should cover these important developments intensively and continuously.
The coalition is strongly against such development of events and calls on GPB’s Board of Trustees to make the planned meeting with the Director General public and place a relevant video on the broadcaster’s website so that interested persons are able to familiarize themselves with the Director General’s plans.