Georgian TV channel employee fired after critical remarks

Kakha Melikidze, a director at the pro-government Georgian Public Broadcaster, has been fired after making public statements criticizing the channel's editorial policy.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on April 11, journalists Nino Zautashvili and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani were fired from the Georgian Public Broadcaster. They believe this was because they publicly criticized the channel's editorial policy and stated that it "cannot meet public demand" because it is under the influence of the authorities.

The Georgian Public Broadcaster has fired Kakha Melikidze, a control room director who criticized the channel's editorial policy. The channel's management attributed the dismissal of Melikidze, who had worked at the Public Broadcaster since 1989, to "multiple violations of internal regulations," including public statements that management believed damaged the company's reputation, Novosti Gruzii reported on December 27. The director had previously accused the channel's management of bias and loyalty to the ruling Georgian Dream party. He claimed that during football match broadcasts, he was forced to show Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and other officials more frequently, despite UEFA requirements. Melikidze also reported on the television company's refusal to broadcast protests online.

In an interview with TV Pirveli, Melikidze stated that his dismissal was not a surprise to him, as he had reported "discriminatory incidents" at his workplace over the past year, according to the publication.

In April, journalists criticized the adopted amendments to the Georgian law "On Grants," noting that for the first time in Georgia's modern history, they legally enshrine authoritarianism. These changes will lead to the destruction of critical media and the establishment of a dictatorship, media representatives noted.

On April 1, members of the Georgian Parliament adopted the "Act on the Registration of Foreign Agents" and amendments to the Law "On Broadcasting," which prohibit television companies from receiving foreign funding. These legislative initiatives will deprive non-governmental organizations and media outlets of the opportunity to continue their work, analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" stated.

The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia

On November 28, 2024, the European Parliament refused to recognize the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia and called for sanctions against the leaders of the Georgian Dream party. On the same day, the Prime Minister announced that Georgia would withdraw from negotiations on joining the European Union by the end of 2028. Following this statement, protests began across the country.

Since November 28, 2024, protesters have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of all those detained for participating in the demonstrations. Demonstrators have blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue for 343 consecutive days. Since November 6, security forces have prevented traffic from being blocked, but on the anniversary of the protests and in the days following it, protesters held marches along the roadway. Specifically, on December 6, they demanded an international investigation into the use of "kamit" to disperse demonstrators and announced weekly marches until their demand was met.