Georgian Civil Society Consider Court Decision as ‘Violation of Editorial Independence’

Representatives of the Civil Society and non-Governmental Organizations on Georgia have published a joint statement concerning the court’s ruling over the Rustavi 2 TV Company.

The Civil Society and NGOs have considered the court’s ruling, concerning the replacement of Rustavi 2’s top management, as ‘unlawful’.

According to the statement it is now obvious that this decision was made to circumvent the ruling of the Constitutional Court of Georgia, which prevented the immediate enforcement of the Civil Court’s decision on November 3rd, concerning the changing ownership of Rustavi 2.

“This decision destroys the editorial independence of Rustavi 2, fundamentally undermines the freedom of media, ruins the media pluralism in the country and has implications of challenging Georgia’s constitutional order and stability. Maintaining Rustavi 2 as a critical TV channel is essential for Georgia’s democracy, especially in light of the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2016,” the Georgian NGOs statement reads.

The Georgian Civil Society calls on all the friends of Georgia to immediately raise this issue with the government of Georgia at the earliest possible time and at the highest possible level.
“Pressure on Rustavi 2 needs to stop immediately and it must continue broadcasting in an unhindered way. Rustavi 2 must also have the right to a fair trial, which it is currently deprived of,” their statement read.

The statement is signed by the civil and non-Governmental Organisations:
TI - Transparency International Georgia
ISFED - International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy
GRASS – Georgia’s Reforms Associates
GDI – Georgia’s Democratic Initiative
MDF – Media Development Foundation
EPRC – Economic Policy Research Center
Atlantic Council of Georgia
Baltic to Black Sea Alliance
Foundation for Civic Education
GISS - Georgian Institute for Security studies
and many others