In the beginning of May, Nino Nizharadze, 9% shareholder of TV Company Rustavi 2, filed a lawsuit to the Tbilisi City Court, seeking a payment of 26 mln. GEL from the Director and other shareholders of the company.
In light of the events consequent to the law suit against Rustavi 2 in 2015, the current claim raises legitimate questions once again.
Rustavi 2, one of the most influential broadcasters that is critical of the government has been facing the threat of editorial policy change for several years. Opinions about editorial policy of Rustavi 2 may vary, but the existence of critical and diverse media platforms is crucial for pluralistic media environment.
The new legal dispute hampers the work of the broadcaster; moreover, it threatens media pluralism and free media environment in the country. Potential shift in Rustavi 2’s editorial policy will definitely have a negative impact on 2020 pre-election period and the entire democratic process.
It should be noted that recent developments around other media outlets such as TV Pirveli, Iberia TV and Adjara Television, also raise questions about authorities’ interference in media independence. These issues are and will be negatively reflected in all international reports evaluating state of the media and democratic development in Georgia. For a transitional democracy like Georgia it is vital to adhere to the high standard of freedom of speech and expression, which is feasible only in a pluralistic media environment.
Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA)
Georgian Journalistic Ethics Charter
Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF)
Alliance of Regional Broadcasters
Small and Medium Telecom Operators Association
Media Club
Alliance of Regional Broadcasters
Liberal Academy Tbilisi
Georgia’s Democracy Initiative (GDI)
Transparency International Georgia (TI)
Media Development Found (MDF)
International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)
Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)