Journalists of the leading Georgian private television station Rustavi 2 are on strike after the reported dismissal of TV Director-General Nika Tabatadze, Georgian media sources reported on August 26.

The Rustavi 2 Kurieri (Courier) news program was not aired at the regularly scheduled times, midday and 3 pm, on August 26 as a result of the strike. Rustavi 2 has not yet commented. Journalists have also refrained from making a statement.

According to media reports Kibar Khalvashi, the businessman who owns the station, is holding a meeting with Tabatadze and the station's journalists.
 
The Georgian daily Rezonansi reported on August 26 that speculations have recently emerged about an anticipated change of management in the government-controlled television station.

“It is also speculated that Chief of the President’s Administration Giorgi Arveladze has insisted on Tabatadze’s dismissal,” Rezonansi said, adding that it remains unknown yet what would be the reason for confrontation between Tabatadze and Arveladze.

Imedi television, which is Rustavi 2’s major competitor, reported on August 26 that the Rustavi 2 journalists are protesting against Tabatadze’s dismissal.

Rustavi 2 TV is gripped by its second scandal in less than two months. Eka Khoperia, anchor of the political talk-show Tavisupali Tema (Free Theme) aired by Rustavi 2, announced her resignation during a live program on July 6, saying that she would not take orders from the authorities. 

Nika Tabatadze replaced Khoperia as an anchor of the political talk-show, but the program was not aired recently because the new anchor was on vacation.