"Rustavi-2" journalists put forward demands to new company leadership

The team of the "Rustavi-2" TV Company demands to set up a public council to monitor the actions of the new leadership and any personnel changes.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 18, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found the decision of the Georgian Supreme Court (SC) to transfer the assets of the "Rustavi-2" TV Company to its former owner Kibar Khalvashi as legitimate. On the same day, Nika Gvaramiya, the director general of the company was fired; and Paata Saliya, a Khalvashi's advocate, was appointed in his place. However, Gvaramiya stated that he would not leave his post, adding that his contract was valid until the end of 2020.

The journalists of "Rustavi-2" failed to receive guarantees from the new company bosses of the preservation of the team and the editorial policy of the company. In the evening on July 19, they voiced out live on air their conditions for their continued work for the company and preservation of the editorial policy, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

The proposals of the "Rustavi-2" team were voiced out at the end of the final information release. The TV Company's new managers should commit not to interfere in the preparation of programmes that enjoy a high rating, and not to prevent them from broadcasting. Another demand is not to change the team and leading presenters of entertainment programs who "create discomfort to the authorities."

Journalists have proposed to set up a public council including members of reputable NGOs in the field of defence of media and human rights protection in order to monitor the actions of the new TV Company bosses. Before the council is created, a moratorium should be declared on any personnel changes, the "Rustavi-2" employees have stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 20, 2019 at 02:47 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.