Protests in support of local journalists took place in Georgia

Representatives of the media and public organizations spoke on February 16 in defense of freedom of speech on the Public TV channel Ajaria. This is reported by Ajara Television. According to journalists, the actions took place in Batumi and Kutaisi. Protesters argued that it was unacceptable to interfere with the channel's editorial policy. They went to the central square with posters Free media without restrictions and others. The processes that are taking place in Public Broadcaster Ajaria are disturbing and deserve attention. Journalists of the channel already openly say that the recently appointed director Georgy Kobakhidze releases producers from their positions, told journalists of the agency Report one of the participants of the action in Kutaisi journalist Irakli Vachiberidze. It should be noted that fears for what is happening on the Public TV channel Ajaria the public began to express after April 2019, when from the position of CEO of the broadcaster removed Natia Kapanadze and put Kobakhidze. It was approved by members of the Board of Trustees who are part of the ruling Georgian Dream Party.