Georgia is worried by the decision of the Imedi TV company to stop broadcasting social and political programs.
"The reason for this is our desire to change the format of existing programs and to develop a new TV product, which we will offer to our viewers in 2016," the TV company’s statement reads.
However, many believe that such a radical change in the editorial policy of the channel is due to political reasons and the upcoming parliamentary elections next year, and that is why a clearing of the TV space has started for the benefit of the former prime minister, businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Among those who adhere to this point of view is the famous Georgian journalist Inga Grigolia, who hosted the 'Reaction' talk show and 'Imedis Kvira’ on this TV channel, which have now been cancelled in connection with the recent changes. "Both programs have high ratings and I have no reason to think that the cause of the closure is the change of format. It is a political decision", Georgia Online quotes her statement in an interview with ‘NetGazete’.
In turn, one of the leaders of the company Iveria, the ex-Minister of Culture Nika Rurua, described the situation as an attack on media freedom.
"The authorities are in a panic and infantile, they are trying to break the mirror when they do not like the face they see in the glass, rather than to improve their actions and their work,’’ the ex-minister described the situation figuratively.
The Vice Speaker of Parliament, Paata Davitaia, has warned the ruling coalition abut possible negative implications. "The decision to close the political talk show during the election period is very dangerous for the freedom of the media. Whether someone likes Inga Grigolia’s shows does not matter, the main thing is that it was a political talk show, where one could express one's views. Accordingly, it is clear that this is a political decision," he said.
In this regard, parliamentarians expressed their support for Inga Grigolia and her colleagues, "as they have come under such political pressure."
