The Social Justice Center responds to the illegal dismissal of Nino Zautashvili and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani from the Public Broadcaster, stating that the persecution of employees due to differing views has escalated to severe levels, openly violating journalists’ rights to labor, expression, and equality. The events unfolding at the Public Broadcaster highlight the harsh reality of the regime’s efforts to seize political control over an independent institution protected by the Constitution. Against the backdrop of the deteriorating situation in Georgia concerning media, this is a worrying sign of the consolidation of authoritarianism.

According to information released on April 11, Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani and Nino Zautashvili were dismissed from the Public Broadcaster following a disciplinary investigation. Both TV presenters assert that they have not been informed of the investigation’s results or the reasons behind the termination of their contracts. Nino Zautashvili had worked at the Public Broadcaster for 40 years, contributing to several high-value media projects that represented the genuine concerns of various social groups. Additionally, she is the founder and head of the Public Broadcaster’s Trade Union, which is actively involved in protecting the labor rights of the Broadcaster’s employees. On the other hand, Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani was a prominent TV presenter for Moambe, who, alongside other journalists, had expressed criticism of the Broadcaster’s editorial policy. On February 4, 2025, he was “temporarily removed” from the main news program, with producers citing his critical on-air statements, including his declaration of solidarity with Mzia Amaglobeli, the director and co-founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, as the reason for his removal.

In addition to the presenters’ dismissals, on the same day, the Broadcaster’s management imposed disciplinary sanctions on four more employees - Tamar Mshvenieradze, a correspondent for Real Space; Ioseb Katsitadze, the presenter of the same program; Kakhaber Melikidze, the director of remote control and the director of the sports channel; and Irma Chubinidze, the director of the branding and promotion group. The justification for these reprimands was based on statements they made in public space, which “called into question the editorial independence and impartiality of the Public Broadcaster,” and were considered a disciplinary offense.

It is also noteworthy that two additional employees - Tea Kakhiani and Davit Velijanashvili - resigned from the Public Broadcaster in solidarity with the dismissed TV presenters. According to Tea Kakhiani, the management created an environment that made it difficult for individuals with free and unwavering values to continue working at the channel.

The dismissed TV presenters and other sanctioned employees had previously spoken out about political influences affecting the Public Broadcaster’s activities and issues surrounding its editorial independence. They were active participants in the Guardians of the Public Broadcaster movement, which critically assesses the decisions of the Broadcaster’s management and editorial policy. It is precisely this activity and their critical views of the Public Broadcaster - a constitutional body - that led to the punitive measures against the aforementioned individuals.

It is also important to note that the management’s initiation of an investigation against the TV presenters was preceded by a statement from the Board of Trustees of the Public Broadcaster, which called on the Prosecutor’s Office to examine the statements made by critical employees - demonstrating a clear interest by the Broadcaster in initiating criminal prosecution for their views.

Suspicions about politically motivated personnel decisions at the Public Broadcaster have persisted for some time. In December 2023, eight television programs were canceled under the formal justification of financial restructuring. The decision affected shows known for their independence from government influence, including Men PLAY and The Unbearable Lightness of Gorgiladze, whose hosts were actively involved in pro-European manifestations and openly criticized MPs who supported the so-called “Russian law”. A few months after these programs were shut down, the Broadcaster terminated the contracts of sports commentators Giorgi Kalatozi and Tato Batsikadze - on political grounds. Both of them had participated in protests against “Russian law”. Their dismissal followed a statement by Irakli Kobakhidze, who referred to Batsikadze as a “politically motivated” commentator. The recent termination of cooperation with Morning Program journalist Ani Jobava, without any explanation, is also believed to be linked to her critical stance.

Additionally, the Public Broadcaster has suspended multiple programs for several months, citing the relocation to a new building as justification. As a result, numerous producers, journalists, and other staff members face uncertainty about their future.

Several independent studies have highlighted the Public Broadcaster’s failure to maintain an editorial policy and programming free from political interference. For example, the latest report by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics found that during the pre-election period, the Public Broadcaster pursued a government-aligned editorial policy when covering socio-political news. The report also noted anti-Western rhetoric in Moambe, echoing statements from the ruling Georgian Dream party. “Moambe has created a comfortable and favorable environment for the ruling political team to disseminate anti-Western views, as well as to promote homophobic and conspiratorial narratives”. According to the report, Public Broadcaster aired almost no investigative content exposing government branches, and its journalists did not cover corruption or human rights violations. While coverage of important public events maintained a formal balance, the report stated that government representatives dominated airtime. “The influence of the ruling political force and the government was evident in the sequence in which facts and comments were presented. In Moambe's reports, the final, conclusive word consistently belonged to representatives of the ruling party. Critical opinions expressed toward the government were always countered - and effectively neutralized - by responses from government officials, which were typically longer and more detailed”.

These developments have drawn strong criticism from international organizations. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) described the “temporary removal” of Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani from television broadcasting as an act of censorship and political persecution against an independent journalist. The EFJ expressed solidarity with the journalists who protested the inadequate coverage of the Mzia Amaglobeli case during a board meeting and emphasized the importance of fostering public debate on the ongoing protests and human rights violations, as well as the significance of the broadcaster’s independence. The management of the Public Broadcaster was also criticized in a resolution adopted by the European Parliament in February 2025, which called for sanctions against the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Director General. International partners now view the situation at the Broadcaster as a clear “indicator of democratic backsliding” and one of the obstacles to Georgia’s European integration.

Taken together, these developments point to the illegal and discriminatory persecution of critical journalists and employees at the Public Broadcaster, directly linked to their criticism of the Broadcaster’s editorial policy. The dismissal and sanctioning of staff over differing opinions constitute discriminatory treatment and a serious violation of labor rights - contrary to both the Constitution of Georgia and international human rights standards.

The ongoing events - including continuous protests at the Broadcaster’s old building and management’s response - demonstrate that the institution is failing in its core mission: to serve as a politically neutral, objective, and impartial media platform, upholding the programming priorities defined by law.

The independence of the Public Broadcaster is vital to the functioning of a democratic system. Undermining this independence, particularly during a political crisis, further deteriorates media freedom in the country and poses a significant threat to the protection and expression of public interest.

The political persecution of employees and the dismissal of critical, professional journalists by the channel’s management mark one of the darkest chapters in the Public Broadcaster’s history. These events raise urgent questions about the accountability and responsibility of the management toward the public.

The Social Justice Center expresses its full solidarity with the dismissed journalists and stands ready to use all available mechanisms to protect their rights and interests.

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