The Media Advocacy Coalition condemns the attack on the investigative team of TV Pirveli and calls on the Special Investigation Service to immediately investigate yet another illegal act committed against journalists.
In the footage published by TV Pirveli on 29 April, it is clearly seen how TV investigative crew is verbally and physically insulted and prevented from carrying out their professional activities. According to Nodar Meladze of TV Pirveli, the journalists were investigating the case related to the winery owned by Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili’s father, Tariel Gharibashvili. According to the media, Nugzar Alughishvili and Zakaria Bostoghanashvili were involved in the violence against the journalists.
Unfortunately, attacks on journalists remain a serious challenge for the Georgian media. Aggressive rhetoric of the rulingGeorgian Dream party against journalists, inaction against violence, politically motivated cases or targeted disinformation campaign further encourage this kind of violence against media. Against this background, the government’s hostile attitude towards Nodar Meladze’s team of investigative journalists is even more striking.
The Media Advocacy Coalition believes that in addition to the prompt investigation of the above-mentioned incident, the authorities are obliged to ensure the creation of a safe working environment for all media representatives.
