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Radio Station Alleges Official Intimidation

Radio Hereti, based in Lagodekhi in Kakheti, has claimed it has been intimidated and put under unwarranted pressure by the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) and others.


Radio Hereti said in a statement that a person allegedly affiliated with the ruling party had threatened the station’s management that they would face a police raid, as Imedi TV did, if they did not stop airing critical reports about the local and central authorities. The station maintains it has an audio recording to prove its contention.


The intimidation was followed, according to Hereti, by a warning from the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC), saying that the station didn’t have the necessary broadcast license. There is a GEL 5,000 (over USD 3,000) fine for such an offence.


The Public Defender?s Office, having looked into the matter, said on December 5 that it was concerned over pressure exerted on the radio station.


The Public Defender?s Office said in a statement that Hereti had a bank cheque proving that it had paid the license fee of slightly over GEL 1,000. The Public Defender?s Office has alleged that the GNCC was deliberately delaying issuing the license. The GNCC, however, said that Radio Hereti had only provided proof of payment a few days ago. The GNCC must issue the license before December 12.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)

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