The Georgian Public Broadcaster issues a statement regarding the decision made following the internal disciplinary proceedings initiated concerning employees involved in recent ongoing processes against the Georgian Public Broadcaster.

Over the past several months, a small number of employees involved in this process have violated the terms of contracts between them and the Georgian Public Broadcaster, the organization’s Employee Guidelines (Internal Work Regulations), as well as internal local policies.

It is noteworthy that the presenters and journalists of the public broadcaster’s news and current affairs, analytical, or social issues programs carry special responsibility and obligation to adhere to standards to the audience and the organization. The journalist profession encompasses not only the rights and freedoms of journalists but also their obligations and responsibilities. Adherence to this standard is especially important for a media organization such as the public broadcaster, and its presenters should never take sides in public or political events that would exclude or even raise doubt on the impartiality and objectivity of the broadcaster or its presenters.

It is also important to consider that, having made public statements, a part of the above-mentioned employees has completely reached the limit of the resources for maintaining a professional and constructive relationship with their employer, making normal cooperation impossible.

Internal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated regarding six employees of the organization in relation to potential violations of employment contracts signed with the Georgian Public Broadcaster and the organization’s Internal Work Regulations.

Considering that employment and collaboration within any organization must stem from mutual will and desire—something that was missing in this case. Therefore, the Georgian Public Broadcaster made the decision to terminate labour relations with Nino Zautashvili, presenter of the program “Real Space”, and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, presenter of the news program “Moambe.” As part of this internal disciplinary process, other types of disciplinary sanctions have been applied to the following employees: Tamar Mshvenieradze, correspondent of “Real Space”; Ioseb Katsitadze, co-presenter of the same program; Kakha Melikidze, Video Director and also Video Director for the First Channel- Sport; and Irma Chubinidze, Video Director of the Branding and Promotions team.

We would like to emphasize that the Georgian Public Broadcaster is an independent media organization, operated under the current legislation and regulations developed in consideration of international standards. The Georgian Public Broadcaster once again declares that any attack on its editorial independence, a campaign of spreading false accusations that damages its image and reputation, no matter who it is addressed by, will not be left without appropriate response.