State TV Chief Resigns, Amid Shevardnadze’s Criticism

In the wake of President Shevardnadze’s criticism, Chairman of the Georgian State Radio and TV Corporation Zaza Shengelia announced today about his resignation.

“I cannot work in the television, which covers only the position of one side. The state television does not mean, that it should defend the interests of the government,” Shengelia said at a special news briefing on November 19.

Earlier today President Shevardnadze slammed the activity of the state television Channel One, saying other independent TV companies are more impartial.

“You are governmental channel, the state television should defend the state interests. I do not urge you [state television] to defend my interests. You should simply act in accordance with the state interests,” Shevardnadze said at a government session on November 19.

“At least one TV channel should work for the government,” Shevardnadze added.

On the eve of the November 2 parliamentary elections the State TV Channel became a powerful leverage for propaganda against the opposition. The trend further increased after the opposition staged protest rallies in Georgia demanding President Shevardnadze’s resignation.

“It seems that the President wants even more obedience from the State TV Channel,” Giga Bokeria of human rights advocacy NGO Liberty Institute said.