Independent Radio Silenced in Kutaisi

An independent radio station “Dzveli Qalaqi” (Old City) of Kutaisi suspended the broadcasting following the court decision. The court ruled in favor of citizens’ lawsuit, which argued the transmission antenna may adversely influence health of the nearby inhabitants. However, there are other reasons that may have induced the lawsuit and the court decision.

Radio Old City was the first independent radio to be established outside the capital in 1995. The radio is headquartered at the premises of Kutaisi Press House and broadcasts the programs intended for the wide audience including the news and analytical programs along with music and entertainment.

On January 23, 2002, two inhabitants of Kikvidze Street nearby the radio station appealed Kutaisi district court demanding to stop the broadcasting. They argued that transmission antenna endangers the health of the inhabitants, quoting the cases of high blood pressure, frequent headaches and pains in the eyes.

While no medical conclusion was provided to support their claims, on the same day the judge ruled to stop the broadcasting before the final verdict would be reached. The radio suspended broadcasting on January 25 upon official receipt of the court order.

Yet, the administration of the radio company believes the rapid decision was not based on the reasonable argument and lacked due justification. “When there are thousands of undecided cases and than suddenly court reaches a decision quickly, without any basic arguments [presented], it is little bit suspicious,” Ketevan Berdzenishvili, head of radio press office, says.

The radio Old City appealed the district court on January 29, stating they suffer financial losses due to unjustified stoppage of the broadcast. The district court ruled in favor of the station.

This decision was followed by the protest action in front of the radio station headquarters on January 31, demanding to stop the broadcasting of the radio and threatening to ravage the office. The founders of the company started negotiation with the protesters and reached an agreement to stop the broadcasting until the experts do not present the argument proving the antenna has no risk to health.

And yet, the radio headquarter believes there are hidden agendas involved. Ketevan Berdzenishvili says a “Catholic program” broadcasted by the station can be the reason of citizens indignation.

The program is created by the Catholic center “Caritas” (Kutaisi) and is devoted to the catholic activists who left some cultural heritage to the city. The program had created some controversy and protest of the Orthodox parish.

“There were calls [to the studio] saying that we are the Catholics and propagate Catholic faith in Kutaisi, but the program has nothing in common with religion propaganda” Berdzenishvili says. 

The final court ruling would be made after the medical experts deliver their conclusions in the coming days.