Officials Angered over Media
Key officials complained on July 7 that most of the media sources in Georgia are covering more extensively developments surrounding the opposition?s protest rallies rather than President Saakashvili?s successful visit to the United States.
Chief of the President?s Administration Giorgi Arveladze said at a news conference that ?some of the media sources and in particular [tycoon] Badri Patarkatsishvili?s Imedi television is directly voicing calls for revolution and mass protest rallies.?
Imedi television has expensively covered court trial over Sandro Girgvliani?s murder case and following protests.
?I want to make an announcement in the name of the Imedi television: statements that the Imedi television was calling for revolution are total false. If the opposition leaders are making political statements, we the journalists are only reporting about it,? Inga Grigolia, a popular anchor of the political talk-show Reaction on the Imedi television said on July 7.
MP Maia Nadiradze, the leader of the parliamentary majority, said that only those stories which criticize officials become top news, rather than paying more attention to the success stories of the authorities.
?President Saakashvili?s visit to the United States was covered more expensively in the U.S. rather than in Georgia,? Giga Bokeria, an influential parliamentarian from the ruling party, said at a news conference.
He also denied any pressure on Eka Khoperia, ex-anchor of the political talk show aired by the Rustavi 2 television.
