Georgia starts a new political TV channel

In Georgia, on the basis of the "Meore Arkhi" (Central TV Channel Two), a new - political - channel is created. The corresponding memorandum was signed on February 23 by David Bakradze, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, in the Tbilisi office of the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

"Signing the memorandum is a significant step in implementing the political agreement between the authorities and the opposition," Mr Bakradze has stated.

Georgiy Chanturiya, Director General of the Public Television of Georgia, believes that by means of the "Meore Arkhi" political parties will be provided with a chance to more actively inform the society about their political activities.

The memorandum on transformation of the "Meore Arkhi" into a political TV Channel, drafted with participation of the NDI, was also signed by 13 political parties, among them - members of the parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition.

In their turn, leaders of political parties Nino Burdzhanadze (Democratic Movement - United Georgia) and Guguli Magradze (Women's Party) refused to sign the memorandum.

According to Ms Magradze, her refusal was caused by little time allocated for the opposition in prime time.

According to the memorandum, the new TV Channel will ensure direct broadcasting of sessions of the parliament and committees and give floor, on the daily basis, to oppositional parties without any interference of the editors. It is planned that the "Meore Arkhi" will broadcast briefings of political parties without editing at 7-8 p.m. Besides, at 10-11 p.m. statements of political parties will be put live on air.

Only the signatories to the memorandum will enjoy the provided TV time. However, as reported by the " GHN" Agency, some time will also be allocated to other parties, non-signatories.