About Civil.ge
Eng | Geo | Rus
Last updated: 10:55 - 1 May.'18
RSS
Mobile
Twitter
Facebook
U.S. ‘Expresses Concerns to Georgian Govt’ Over Rustavi 2 TV Case
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 9 Oct.'15 / 09:53


File photo of headquarters of Rustavi 2 TV in Tbilisi. Photo: Eana Korbezashvili/Civil.ge

The United States has expressed concerns to the Georgian government over actions that give the appearance of constricting media freedom, Ian Kelly, the U.S. ambassador in Tbilisi, said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement was released after the U.S. diplomat met on October 8 with Rustavi 2 TV executives to, as he put it, “learn more about the legal case affecting the station’s financial health.”

The meeting came after the U.S. Department of States said on October 6 that actions that give the appearance of constricting media freedom are “disturbing.”

The U.S. diplomat said that he assured Rustavi 2 TV leadership that the U.S. embassy “is closely following” developments related to the broadcaster.

Rustavi 2 TV says that the recent court injunction in an ongoing dispute over Georgia’s most-watched broadcaster, has effectively cut off a USD 6 million investment needed for sustaining its smooth operations. Rustavi 2 TV claims that a lawsuit by one of its former co-owners and consequent asset freeze – ordered by the court at first in respect of Rustavi 2 TV itself and then in respect of broadcaster’s majority shareholder company – is government orchestrated move aimed at taking over the opposition-minded television station. The government and Georgian Dream ruling coalition politicians deny any involvement, saying that the dispute is between the private entities.

“The United States government has often praised Georgia’s open media environment, which has been recognized internationally as a model for the region,” the U.S. ambassador said in the statement.

“We take very seriously any actions that give the appearance of constricting media freedoms or compromising media pluralism. We have expressed our concerns to the Georgian government.”

“For any democracy to succeed, a strong, accountable government is important.  Media pluralism is no less important. As the drafters of America’s Constitution suggested in another age, government’s first object is the protection of our liberty, which depends on free, unfettered, and pluralistic media,” the U.S. ambassador said.

Nika Gvaramia, Rustavi 2 TV CEO, who met the U.S. ambassador, welcomed diplomat’s reaction and said that the ambassador’s In his statement “addresses the government and no one else, because this case is in fact driven by the government, orchestrated by the government and the judge [adjudicated court case over ownership dispute] represents the government.”

“Before it still has time to save face, it is better for the government to heed the statement of the most important ally of this country,” said Gvaramia, who held senior government posts till late 2009 in ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili’s administration.

Latest News
01 May.'18 10:55
We Have Moved to a New Platform
Direct Your Bookmarks to https://civil.ge.
29 Apr.'18 03:54
Ruling Party Candidate Wins MP By-Elections
Givi Chichinadze will represent Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency in the Parliament of Georgia.
28 Apr.'18 09:40
Polls Open for Vani and Khoni MP By-Elections
48,123 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency.
27 Apr.'18 17:23
State Dept’s Europe Affairs Point Man to Visit Tbilisi
Wess Mitchell will meet senior government officials and address the NATO-Georgia Public Diplomacy Forum.
27 Apr.'18 13:45
In Quotes: Georgian Politicians on Ex-PM Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Comeback
Bidzina Ivanishvili will be approved as the Georgian Dream party chairman at the upcoming convention.
26 Apr.'18 18:15
SG Jens Stoltenberg: Georgia NATO’s ‘Very Close’ Partner
The NATO Secretary General says Foreign Ministers meeting tomorrow will recognize the country’s progress.
26 Apr.'18 14:24
Ex-PM Ivanishvili to Chair Georgian Dream Party
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Ivanishvili was ‘best equipped’ to add new dynamism to the party.
26 Apr.'18 11:12
Lawmaker Proposes Criminal Liability for ‘Insult of Religious Feelings’
The parliamentary human rights committee decided to set up a working group for scrutinizing the draft law.
25 Apr.'18 17:21
New Abkhaz Government Head Appointed
Gennady Gagulia has served as the Abkhaz “prime minister” twice - in 1995-1997, and 2002-2003.
25 Apr.'18 14:43
Watchdog Improves Georgia’s Press Freedom Ranking
None of the countries of the former Soviet Union (except the Baltics) are ranked ahead of Georgia.

About Civil Georgia
Civil.Ge © 2001-2025, Daily News Online
Registered office: 2 Dolidze Str, 4-th Floor.
13