Charasti: closing of "Imedi" in Georgia contradicts to the freedom of mass media

Miklosh Charasti, OSCE representative for the freedom of press matters, has stated today that the closing of the "Imedi" TV Channel in Georgia contradicts to the principles of the freedom of mass media.

"The stop of the TV Channel contradicts to the principles of the freedom of mass media," Miklosh Charasti said on November 23 to the press conference in Tbilisi.

Mr Charasti has arrived to Georgia together with Peter Semneby, EU special representative for South Caucasus, to get acquainted with the operation of mass media in Georgia, and especially - with the situation around the "Imedi" TV Company, whose property and broadcasting license have been arrested since November 7.

Miklosh Charasti has noted that "Imedi" could have made mistakes in its editorial policy, however, the closing of the independent channel, as he said, is "a wrong action that damages the image of Georgia." He has emphasized that should any claims arise, the estimate of the Channel's work should be made in the judicial order.

Mr Charasti has informed that, after meeting a broad spectrum of viewers, he has concluded that the broadcasting of other TV Channels that continue to work in Georgia - "Mze", "Rustavi-2" and Public Television - "had been rather prejudiced while covering the latest events."

In the course of his visit, conducted together with Peter Semneby and Teri Khakala, head of the OSCE Mission in Georgia, Mr Charasti had meetings with President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili, Ministers of Foreign and Internal Affairs, representatives of the pro-presidential majority and the opposition, top managers of the "Imedi" TV Channel and representatives of other mass media.