Rustavi 2 TV Accuses Authorities of Mounting Pressure

Rustavi 2 Claims Jorbenadze  Pressures the TV channel

On October 24 President of the Tbilisi-based private Rustavi 2 broadcasting company Erosi Kitsmarishvili said the State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze pressures the channel. Jorbenadze also leads the pro-governmental election bloc For New Georgia.

“Avtandil Jorbenadze visited us last night [October 23] and asked to make the coverage on the eve of the elections in favor of the authorities. He also demanded from us to refrain from conducting exit polls on the election day [November 2], which is usually done by Rustavi 2 for each elections. Of course we declined,” Erosi Kitsmarishvili said on October 24.

Chairman of the National Regulatory Commission for Communications Vakhtang Abashidze has resigned on October 24, explaining unexpected decision by “mounting political pressure on the commission.”

The pressure, Abashidze stated, was linked with the tender offer on the 9th metric channel announced by the commission. The channel covers almost entire territory of Georgia and is extremely desirable for the private TV companies.

Reportedly, Rustavi 2 broadcasting company and Technomedia, owned by Tbilisi-based tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili, contested for the rights over the 9th metric channel.

Badri Patarkatsishvili is linked with the pro-governmental election alliance and has reportedly invested in its election campaign.