Rustavi 2 TV Company has accepted the offer of Brothers Karamanashvilis. LTD “Team of Rustavi 2” will be officially established on March 27. Nika Gvaramia, General Director of Rustavi 2 Company talked about the offer in “Courier” News Program. He said that the LTD would become the 51% shareholder of “Saqartvelo” TV Company. 

Tbilisi City Court partly satisfied the law-suit of Journalist Eka Mishveladze.  Court has delivered a verdict today according to which the order issued by GPB General Director Giorgi Baratashvili on February 11, 2016 about dismissal journalist Eka Mishveladze from Public Broadcaster was terminated. The Broadcaster has to pay 30 000 GEL compensation to Mishveladze and 900 GEL to the state budget.Eka Mishveladze was dismissed from the Public Broadcaster in February 2016, after which, the journalist appealed to the court. During Court dispute her interest was defended by the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA). The Lawyers of GPB plan to appeal the Court's verdict. 

Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili calls on sides to preserve the current Status Quo on Rustavi 2 TV Company before Constitutional Court and European Court of Human Rights make final decisions into Rustavi 2 case.  Eka Mishveladze’ President’s Press Speaker introduced President’s viewpoint to journalists during the traditional press briefing today. According to Mishveladze, President’s Administration once again underlines that processes around Rustavi 2 and Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) and any limitation to freedom of media would be a serious blow on democratic principles and European future of the country. 

Media experts evaluate PM’s initiative about establishment of Media Ombudsman’s Institute. Natia Kuprashvili, Head of Regional Broadcasters’ Association says that the new institution will not resolve problems facing the Georgian media because political goodwill is needed for independence of media. 

The Embassy of the United States has released a statement on the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision related to Rustavi 2 TV Company. The Embassy says they view with concern the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Rustavi 2.“The United States views with concern the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Rustavi 2, which could effectively limit the access of opposition voices to Georgian broadcast media. A pluralistic media environment is essential for Georgia’s democratic growth and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We urge the Georgian government to take steps to ensure that the media environment remains free, open, and pluralistic,” says the statement. 

Family members of an 18-year-old girl, who died in Kutaisi city, Imereti region, blame doctors for negligence. The girl was found at home being in unconscious condition. She was first transferred to Chiatura and then to Kutaisi hospital. Doctors said the patient had taken sleeping pills with purpose of committing suicide. The family does not agree with the version of death. 

The representatives of European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are paying a working visit to Georgia.Jon Ola Sand, EBU Supervisor and Gert Kark, EBU TV project manager are holding meeting with the representatives of the Georgia’s Public Broadcaster (GPB), including the Junior Eurovision project manager, Media and Communication Director, Eurovision Producer as well as the Head of the Tourism Department. Talks focused on organizational and technical issues. Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC) will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia this year.

Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze commented on launch of protest broadcasting by Rustavi 2 TV Company from Germany where Munich Security Conference is being held. Janelidze said that freedom of media was guaranteed in Georgia. “The case of Rustavi 2 is in court and making ado, attempt of destabilization and causing tension in public are less effective. We should wait for court decision together,” Janelidze said. Rustavi 2 TV Company and its web-page are working in protest regime. Broadcasting is stopped and the staff is preparing for a protest to be held in support of Rustavi 2 at central Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi on February 19. Zaal Udumashvili, Deputy General Director of TV Company said that it was not easy to make the decision about protest but TV Company had no other choice. 

Board of Trustees of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) has presented a vision on evaluation criteria of GPB programs to the Executive Council of GPB. According to Sulkhan Saladze, one of the members of Board, no particular resistance from the management took place. He said that talks focused on ratings.Management will present its point of view about the document at the session of the Council, which is scheduled for tomorrow.

Executive Council of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) released a statement through which the council thanks the public for interest over the current developments and planned reforms at GPB. The Council calls on the interested persons for being actively involved in public discussions about the development strategy. “We chose the way, which ensures transparency, fairness, consensus and protection of employees’ rights. We believe that the process will be a start of the new stage, which will transform GPB into a media organization oriented on public’s interests, attraction of audience and quality,” reads the statement. Full text of the statement is published on GPB web-page www.1tv.ge.

Georgia’s Public Defender responds to the developments at the Georgian Public Broadcaster. Ucha Nanuashvili talks about necessary of the reforms, however believes that outside persons should refrain from making statements.According to Ombudsman government should not interfere in the process.

Movement Green Fist held a rally in front of the building of Georgian Public Broadcaster in support of Real Space Program today.The slogan of the rally was “Defend the Real Space”.Participants stated that they support the media freedom. According to them, this is a program that highlights the problems of the people whose voices are rarely heard in public. They explain that today's action is preventative in nature. Yesterday, Vasil Maghlaperidze, General Director of GPB said in an interview with “Moambe” News Program that all programs continue working in usual regime and the information about their closure is not true. GPB management and Executive Council will present GPB development vision and talk about planned changes on February 6.  Media Advocacy Coalition released a statement on February 3 which based on the management of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) made the decision to close Real Space Program hosted and authored by Nino Zautashvili. The coalition also spoke about possible closure of other programs and mass dismissal of employees. 

The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) applies to the parliament with the package of changes proposed to be made into legislation. GPB demands making of amendments in purchase and advertising regulations for its development. MP Davit Matikashvili, who is the member of a group working on legislative changes, does not rule out discussions over the rule oფ election of GPB Director General. Irina Putkaradze, a member of GPB Board of Trustees presumes that the initiative is not put on the working agenda of the working group and stresses on proposals presented by the broadcaster. 

The decision made by Board of Trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) regarding election of Vasil Maghlaperidze on post of GPB General Director harms reputation of the broadcaster and trust of the public toward it – Media Advocacy Coalition said in its statement. According to the statement, the Board members were introduced to action plans and critical visions of other candidates but did not support the contenders during the voting process. Vasil Maghlaperidze will head the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) during the next 6 years. The 8-member Board of Trustees elected Maghlaperidze as GPB new General Director with 6 votes for and 2- against through the secret balloting on January 6. 

A working group will be established to prepare changes into Law on Broadcasting. The decision was made by the Parliamentary Law Committee. Membership of the working group is not yet determined. However, it is known that three employees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) Goga Chartolani, Dodo Shonava and Revaz Chichinadze will be involved in the work of the group. Initiators of the legislative changes demand that GPB Board of Trustees becomes controlling body. 

Vasil Maghlaperidze has become General Director of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) through the second tour of secret balloting held by GPB Board of Trustees. Maghlaperidze received 6 votes of the 8-member Board. He will take the post with 6-year term. Five candidates were taking part in the voting: Zaal Anjaparidze, Vasil Maghlaperidze, Nino Zautashvili, Tinatin Berdzenishvili and Natia Kuprashvili. The first round of voting did not reveal the winner. Maghlaperidze and Berdzenishvili participated in the second round of balloting. Initially, fifteen people expressed willingness to the take part in the competition. Members of GPB’s Board of Trustees chose the candidates among the 14 persons who applied for the post. One candidate Bachuki Bakhtadze was excluded after reviewing the documentation by the Board.The Board of Trustees of GPB announced an open competition for the vacant position on November 28. 

Members of Board of Trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) have interviewed all candidates contending for post of GPB Gen. Director. The 8-member Board of Trustees will hold final voting on January 6. The candidate for post of new General Director needs at least 5 votes to be elected. Two out of five candidates- Vasil Maghlaperidze and Nino Zautashvili, who qualified for the second tour of a competition underwent through interviewing today.  Members of Board listened to Tinatin Berzenishvili, acting Director General of GPB, Natia Kuprashvili, Head of Georgian Association of Regional Broadcasters and Zaal Anjaparidze yesterday.Five candidates qualified for the second tour of a competition for vacant post of General Director of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB). The candidates are Zaal Anjaparidze, Vasil Maghlaperidze, Nino Zautashvili, Tinatin Berdzenishvili and Natia Kuprashvili. Initially, fifteen people expressed willingness to the take part in the competition. Members of GPB’s Board of Trustees chose the candidates among the 14 persons who applied for the post. One candidate Bachuki Bakhtadze was excluded after reviewing the documentations by the Board.The Board of Trustees of GPB announced an open competition for the vacant position on November 28. 

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili commented about unification of three TV Companies -- “Imedi,” GDS and Maestro -- under one media holding. He said that merging was a natural process. Kvirikashvili said that the government would not interfere in court process over Rustavi 2 and its editorial policy. He also stressed on the importance of critical media in the country. 

Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili has released a congratulation letter in dedication with the 60th jubilee of the first Georgian TV station.The statement reads as following: "I offer my heartfelt congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the first Georgian television. The appearance of the First Channel substantially changed the social reality. During the years, television along with society has been developed, at the same time, it often determined its direction and orientations.After gaining independence, the appearance of media diversity only increased significance of your channel and responsibility in formation of a full-fledged civil society.I congratulate especially to the first generation, which creating a firm foundation for further progress. I offer my congratulations and gratitude to those who are still fighting faithfully for bring the right words to each person, for strengthening the civil society”, - the statement reads.

Eleven candidates are contending for post of General Director of Georgian Public Broadcaster. The candidates are Bachuki Bakhtadze, Revaz Shalibashvili, Zaal Anjaparidze, Giorgi Katamadze, Vasil Maghlaperidze, Nino Zautashvili, Guram Palavandishvili, Nikoloz Mchedlishvili, Tinatin Berdzenishvili, Davit Tsintsadze and Manana Ghoghoberidze. The open competition was announced on November 28. The deadline for application is December 28. The list of all contenders will then be published within 3-day term.