08:50, 26 February 2020

TI demands to stop pressing journalists in Adjara

Participants of the rally in support of the journalists of the Adjara TV. Photo by Beslan Kmuzov for the "Caucasian Knot"

The staff of the Adjara TV are going to strike, an NGO "Transparency International (TI)-Georgia" has informed urging the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) investigate the alleged pressure on journalists.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 24, Batumi hosted a protest action against the actions of the new leadership of the Adjara TV. Protesters claimed an unfair dismissal of the TV channel's employees, in particular, the deputy director of the news service, Maya Merkviladze.

On February 2, Natiya Zoidze, a deputy director of the Adjara TV, announced her resignation after complaints about attempts by the new director, Giorgi Kokhreidze, to change the editorial policy.

On February 24, Nino Khorzevanidze, a journalist, quitted the TV Company in protest. A disciplinary litigation is underway against Shorena Glonti, the head of the information service of the TV Company. There is also information about the leadership's pressure on Malkhaz Rekhviashvili, a presenter, who is demanded to resign because of the fact that he heads the alternative trade union created in the TV Company.

The "TI-Georgia" has called on the Council of the Adjara Public Broadcaster and the leadership of the TV company to stop restricting journalists; independence.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 25, 2019 at 08:32 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Inna Kukudjanova

Source: CK correspondent