Georgian media sign appeal to resume broadcasting of Imedi television and radio

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Representatives of practically all Georgian media signed an appeal at the office of the people’s ombudsman today calling to resume broadcasting of Imedi television and radio, a REGNUM correspondent informs. The statement says that Georgian media find it necessary to fully restore the pluralistic media landscape in Georgia and, at the same time, they oppose any kind of violence.

“Freedom of speech is one of most significant achievements of the modern Georgian society. It is impossible to build a modern liberal and democratic state, if there are no comprehensive guarantees of freedom of freedom of speech. We believe that the challenge implied by an early presidential election as well as a plebiscite setting the date of parliamentary elections should be taken by our society with dignity. The situation in Georgia caused by the October-November events is complicated. However, we do recognize that for a stable and democratic development of the country, for its worldwide reputation, it is necessary to restore its pluralistic media landscape.

”At the same time, we believe that the election must be held in a peaceful, practical situation, in accordance with the high standards, which for the media first of all means negative attitude to any kind of violence. We are sure that most members of both the media community and the public do comprehend it. Hence, we find it necessary to resume broadcasting of Imedi TV and radio company, which will be a correct step towards democratic development," the statement runs. Imedi Director General Bidzina Baratashvili thanked the journalists and the ombudsman for the support.

Broadcasting of Imedi TV and radio was suspended on November 7, after police broke up a mass rally in Tbilisi. Later, the Georgian prosecution informed that Imedi’s assets were arrested, because the company could be used by its practical owner Badri Patarkatsishvili as a lever to exacerbate the situation in Georgia right up to ousting current authorities.