Adjarian authorities intensify pressure on mass media

The broadcasting of Rustavi 2 TV Company, which is the most popular one in Georgia, was ceased in Adjaria on November 23. On December 21, leader of the autonomy Aslan Abashidze held a press conference on the results of his talks with the head of the Georgian temporary government. He explained at the press conference that no one had suppressed the broadcasting of Rustavi 2 in Adjaria. The matter is that 25th Channel TV Company, which has broadcasted Rustavi 2, demands money for it now as it does not want to work at a loss any more. With all this going on, Rustavi 2 has enjoyed the same popularity in Adjaria as in the other part of Georgia, and 25th Channel has retransmitted the programs of Rustavi 2 free of charge, making its advertising insets. So the cooperation has been mutually beneficial.

On December 21, a local office of the private national New Version newspaper was smashed up, its correspondent, Zaza Patarava, being beaten. The editors of the New Version expressed protest against aggressive actions of the power, demanding that it observe the laws functioning all over Georgia on its territory and stop putting open pressure on the mass media.

Editors note:  See also the article: "Persecution of oppositionists in Batumi".