Over 30 employees of the Public Broadcaster’s Adjara Television and Radio have published a joint statement opposing the “Georgian Dream” party’s decision to halt European integration, adding “We believe that violent and unconstitutional actions harm the entire country and its future.”
See the statement, unchanged:
“At this important and decisive moment for the country, we want to clearly state our position regarding the decision made by the ruling political team. In the media where we work and which is financed by society, the main values should be those that we must protect regardless of changes in the political landscape.
First and foremost is our Constitution, whose Article 78 obligates constitutional bodies to take all measures for integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. We believe that the Georgian government’s decision to suspend negotiations with the EU until 2028 contradicts the Constitution and the will of the Georgian people, which has been expressed multiple times through protests.
Also notable is the negative campaign that serves to cultivate distrust and aggression towards journalists. Physical retaliation against media representatives counts numerous chapters in recent history. Yesterday’s violent dispersal of protest is proof of this, which put the lives and health of many journalists and cameramen at risk. We believe that violent and unconstitutional actions harm the entire country and its future.
Our work now, more than ever, must be independent of partisan influences and public-oriented. We strongly emphasize our loyalty to the core values, which implies public broadcasting independent from state interference, asking critical questions, and objectively reporting on ongoing processes in the country.”
Signatories:
1. Irina Kurua;
2. Maia Merkviladze;
3. Salome Gegeshidze;
4. Amiran Vadachkoria;
5. Tekla Mchedlidze;
6. Nona Diasamidze;
7. Mariam Bolkvadze;
8. Teona Turmanidze;
9. Teona Kharabadze;
10. Giga Jijavadze;
11. Ana Gogitidze;
12. Sopo Zhghenti;
13. Irma Chkhaidze;
14. Zurab Gujabidze;
15. Dato Trapaidze;
16. Maia Varshanidze;
17. Bacho Gurabanidze;
18. Lasha Zarginava;
19. Khatuna Shushanidze;
20. Sulkhan Tsulukidze;
21. Giorgi Tserodze;
22. Shota Gujabidze;
23. Nino Inaishvili;
24. Lala Paghava;
25. Irakli Japaridze;
26. Giorgi Loria;
27. Tamar Gazdeliani;
28. Rati Ratiani;
29. Guguli Beridze;
30. Ana Vashakmadze;
31. Leila Shavishvili.
