Georgian Public Broadcaster denies censorship allegations of its host

Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) has rejected censorship allegations of its host Imeda Darsalia, whose weekly analytical programme New Week has not aired since December due to the TV channel’s decision to reorganise it. 

In an interview with TV Pirveli, Darsalia said the reorganisation has been a decision “against” him, alleging attempts of censorship of “critical topics” from the channel, and claiming an existence of “blacklists” at the broadcaster.

After the last [episode of the] programme, we were told I was no longer the host of the show and the show was pausing in its current format. I do not know what the [future] format will be,” Darsalia said.

In his comments, Darsalia also alleged the censorship as coming from the management, saying he would bring his case to court and “talk about all the details there.” 

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GPB released its response yesterday, calling the allegations a “targeted campaign aimed at tarnishing the reputation [of the channel],” adding “not a single project has been closed on the TV channel, including New Week.”

The statement further said the broadcaster would present an “updated format” of the programme “on which the New Week team is [currently] working.” The response also said the company adhered to its “strict editorial principles and media standards in a radically polarised media environment,” adding “we [will] listen to and endure complaints, but not insults.”

In 2011, Darsalia was a spokesperson of the ruling Georgian Dream party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.

TV programme New Week first aired in March 2018.