For the past four months, amid ongoing political events, various political and civil groups have actively engaged in a deliberate defamation campaign against the Public Broadcaster.

Public statements that lack factual basis, contain false information, and foster misconceptions within society, though yet undermine the broadcaster’s reputation and harm its image are being spread.

Throughout this period, the employees of the broadcaster have diligently fulfilled their professional duties despite enduring various forms of pressure, attacks, and insults, responding only with patience and professionalism of the highest standard.

A small group of employees of the Public Broadcaster, known as the Public Broadcaster Guardians (GPB Guardians), who have participated in protests outside the broadcaster, have repeatedly violated their employment contracts and the organization’s internal labour regulations, which are integral to those contracts. The statements they have publicly circulated against the Public Broadcaster not only promote false accusations and damage GPB’s image but also erode public trust, an action that demands a response.

The management of the Georgian Public Broadcaster operates independently and adheres strictly to Georgian legislation. All decisions are made in alignment with the organization’s essence, mission, goals, the rights and interests of its employees, and the principles of good faith and fairness.

Under the law, the organization has two governing bodies: the Board of Trustees and the Director General, along with the associated Board of Directors. The Board of Trustees recently reviewed the findings of an investigation conducted by the legal department during a working meeting, where no factual circumstances or grounds for the allegations against the Public Broadcaster were identified. The assessments expressed by the members of the Board of Trustees are advisory in nature.

Decisions regarding the ongoing processes will be made solely by the management of the Public Broadcaster, without any involvement from external entities, per Georgian labour legislation and the Public Broadcaster’s internal regulations, which are fully compliant with international media standards.