"Freedom House" accuses Georgian authorities of violating freedom of media

The human rights organization "Freedom House" has called on the Georgian authorities to stop interfering in the media activities. The "Freedom House" has condemned the court's decision in the case of the "Rustavi 2" TV Channel.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 3, the Tbilisi City Court pronounced the decision to transfer 60% of the shares of the "Rustavi 2" TV Channel to businessman Kibar Khalvashi, and 40% to the Limited Liability Company (LLC) "Panorama", owned by him. Activists of the "United National Movement" (UNM) Party and the "Free Zone" have organized a vigil outside the office of the "Rustavi 2" TV Channel in order not to let external managers to enter the office.

"The appointment of managers at the 'Rustavi 2' TV Channel in bypass of the Constitutional Court's decision undermines the democratic foundations in Georgia. The authorities violate their promise given to the voters to protect much higher standards of rule of law and fundamental democratic principles, including in terms of media freedom, as compared with their predecessors," announces the statement made by the "Freedom House" and signed by Robert Herman, Vice-President for International Programmes, as quoted by the "Georgia Online".

"We call on the Georgian authorities to put an end to interference in the media activities," announces the statement made by the "Freedom House".

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.