Launching a criminal investigation into the story prepared by the TV Company “Mtavari” is a dangerous precedent
Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition considers that launching a criminal investigation into the story prepared by the TV Company “Mtavari” is a harsh, disproportionate response and a very dangerous precedent of interfering in the freedom of media.
“In the circumstances when a negative attitude of the Government specifically against the TV Company “Mtavari” is obvious (as a matter of fact, government officials publicly boycott the channel) and when Georgia has repeatedly appeared at the center of world attention due to abundance of facts of anti-Western propaganda instigated by disinformation and false reports, it is particularly concerning that SSG names the story, broadcasted on the “Mtavari” channel, as “sabotage”. This action gives an impression of using a repressive mechanism selectively. We think that launching a criminal prosecution under the article of sabotage due to the TV story may have an irreversible stinging effect on all means of media that are critical of the Government and affect an idea of control of the Government by citizens”, - is noted in the statement.
Source: gyla.ge
