“Media freedom is one of top gains of our Gov’t,” says PM

A legal dispute about the ownership of private broadcaster Rustavi 2, media freedom in Georgia and the leak of sexual abuse videos to force testimonies on the internet were some of the main issues Georgia’s Prime Minister spoke about at today’s Government meeting.

Georgia’s free media environment is one of top gains of our Government,” Irakli Garibashvili said in reference to the ongoing ownership legal dispute between former and current shareholders of Rustavi 2.

The Prime Minister stressed thanks to democratic reforms carried out under the Georgian Dream (GD) coalition, media in Georgia had become free from Governmental interferences and advanced to new, positive levels. 

"Through our reforms a new broadcaster might be opened in 10 days and start functioning in three days [after that]. Under the previous state leadership it would be impossible to open a new broadcaster even in 10 years.” 

There are about 300 media outlets functioning in Georgia and they have never been hindered by the Government. Furthermore, we have provided maximum liberal legislation to encourage them to do business,” Garibashvili added. 

The PM reiterated it was in the Government’s best interests for there to be as many media outlets in the country as possible, for information, truth and a wide range of opinions to be spread as widely as possible to all Georgian citizens. 

No matter we approve the media outlet's editorial policy or not,” Garibashvili said. 

 Because of this I will never take criticism that the Government is somehow involved in the Rustavi 2 case. It is a legal dispute,” Garibashvili said. 

Georgia’s top official underscored each Georgian citizen had the right to address the court about any case that he/she felt certain injustices with.

Everyone should be equal before law. We should let the court deliver a fair verdict,” Garibashvili said about the case. 

He addressed all political players to refrain from interfering in Tbilisi City Court’s activities through statements, or by telling the Judge of what kind of verdict he should make. 

The PM also addressed his skeptics and reminded them of the situation about Imedi TV, where under the previous state leadership in 2007, Georgia’s former state leaders "raided the broadcaster, dispersed the staff and had controlled the TV company until 2012.”

I remind skeptics of this fact who failed to appreciate our democratic approaches,” Garibashvili added. 

On another note the PM spoke about the recent leak on the internet of videos showing historic instances of sexual abuse in Georgia , and the public’s negative reaction to United National Movement (UNM) political party, which was in power when thousands of similar videos were filmed and used for blackmailing. 

The PM stressed any citizen could be "uptight” after watching the videos but he addressed the public to keep their emotions in check and refrain from acting irrationally.

Stability is in the country’s best interests,” Garibahsvili declared. 

From here Garibashvili asked Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili about the legal procedures concerning the recent rallies in front of the UNM offices, during which several UNM buildings were painted red by demonstrators as a sign of protest to the sexual and torture leaked videos. 

The Minister said legal proceedings had been launched in 22 cases and three individuals had already faced administrative punishment for their actions.