The management of Adjara Television and Radio of the Public Broadcaster has decided to suspend all television programs except news programs, which will continue to be broadcast live. Employees of the broadcaster are sharing this information.
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Irina Kurua, the host of the program Satkmeli, stated that the final decision to suspend the programs was made by the Director of Adjara Public Broadcasting, Vladimer Tatishvili, who confirmed this today during a face-to-face meeting.
“On Thursday, at 9:00 PM, you will no longer see us live on Adjara Television. I apologize that we will no longer be able to offer you diverse opinions, critical thoughts, and analyses from people fighting for Georgia’s European future.
I regret that I am not being given the opportunity to uphold the Constitution at this time.
I am deeply sorry that I can no longer comply with the Law On Broadcasting and fulfill my obligations, which primarily involve addressing the interests of society.
I apologize that this Thursday, I will no longer be able to go live and say that Russia is an occupier and that violence against the media, our citizens, and young people is unacceptable.
Now, more than ever, I believe we need to gather professionalism and, rather than hiding from the public, speak the truth and highlight the risks on all programs,” Irina Kurua wrote on the social network Facebook.
The political talk show Free Space will also no longer be broadcast. According to the program’s host, Vakho Khuzmiashvili, the head of the program department informed them today that the program would be suspended for a week. Free Space was broadcast live from Tbilisi on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The team behind the program Zoom Education expressed dissatisfaction, noting that the director of the broadcaster did not provide convincing or logical arguments for suspending their program.
"Our program has always been open to diverse and critical discussions. However, this time, despite our wishes, we will not be given the opportunity to continue.
Covering education issues and promoting European integration have always been the main priorities of the Public Broadcaster. The airwaves of the Public Broadcaster are a common good. The struggle continues,” reads a statement released by the program team.
On November 29, citizens, representatives of civil organizations, and opposition parties held a demonstration in front of Adjara Television, protesting the rigging of elections and the suspension of the European integration process by Georgian Dream. Demonstrators demanded live television broadcasts and objective coverage of events in the country.
Earlier, more than 100 employees of the Public Broadcaster’s Adjara Television and Radio (the list is subject to change) signed a joint statement distancing themselves from Georgian Dream’s decisions. They emphasized that, now more than ever, operations must remain independent of party influence and serve the public.
Since November 30, protests have continued in Tbilisi, including outside the Public Broadcaster’s Channel One building. Protesters are demanding the resignation of the General Director of the Public Broadcaster, Tinatin Berdzenishvili, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Vasil Maghlaperidze, as well as the allocation of airtime to President Salome Zourabichvili and the people.
