In Georgia, journalists of "Maestro" TV Channel hold protest action

On November 16, staff members of the "Maestro" TV Channel, working in emergency mode for several weeks, held a rally in front of the police building of the Vake-Saburtalo Districts in Tbilisi. They demanded to force Erosi Kitsmarishvili, the founder of the management company "Rustavi Media", out of the building.

"Erosi Kitsmarishvili is unlawfully present in the office of the "Maestro" TV Channel, and we demand his expulsion and normal working conditions," said Mamuka Glonti, one of the founders of the TV Channel.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 30, the conflict between the owners of the "Maestro" TV Channel and Erosi Kitsmarishvili occurred, when the latter, accompanied by security guards of the "Rustavi Media Group", occupied the office of the TV Channel.

On December 16, representatives of independent media, public organizations, NGOs, and political parties joined the journalists' action. Participants of the protest action held posters reading: "SOS" and whistled in whistles. In total, the protest action gathered several dozen people, the "News-Georgia" reports.

Besides, Mamuka Glonti initiated establishment of media association.

"This association should have the same principles, which the NATO has, that is, if one of the media is attacked, all other members of the association shall immediately respond to the attack," said Mamuka Glonti. He suggested to conducts establishment of the media association on December 19 at 12:00 a.m. in the "Tbilisi Marriott" Hotel, the "Apsny.ge".

The journalists announce that next week, on December 20 at 3:00 p.m., they intend to hold a similar protest action near the residence of President Mikhail Saakashvili.

Meanwhile, Erosi Kitsmarishvili held the press conference, at which he offered his colleagues to start negotiations without TV cameras in neutral territory at the office of the Georgian Ombudsperson. Erosi Kitsmarishvili also confirmed rumours that the selection of journalists for the resumption of broadcasting of the "Maestro" TV Channel had been started, the "PIC" reports.

"The updated viewing grid will be broadcasted in mid-January," said Erosi Kitsmarishvili.

The founder of the "Rustavi Media" also intends to file a lawsuit demanding the return of his money, allocated for the TV Channel, and the compensation for moral damage.