Irakli Chikovani, who has served as director general of Rustavi 2 TV station, has applied for a vacant seat in Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC).

Chikovani is also an owner of 30% of Rustavi 2 TV shares.

MP Levan Vepkhvadze of Christian-Democratic Movement and a vice-speaker of the parliament from parliamentary minority group, told Civil.Ge on April 21, that if approved as GNCC member Chikovani would have to give up his shares in the television station, because it would constitute to conflict of interests. GNCC’s legal department has declined Civil.Ge’s request for comment.

Meanwhile, the Georgian media sources have reported that Giorgi Gegeshidze has replaced Chikovani as director general of Rustavi 2 TV. According to the Georgian daily, Rezonansi, and a local website, Media.ge, covering media-related developments, Gegeshidze is Chikovani’s business partner in an advertisement company, Magi Style. Rustavi 2 TV management has declined to comment.

Total of five applicants are contesting for remaining one vacant seat in GNCC. Chikovani is most likely to take the seat with further possibility of becoming the chairman of the commission.