Imedi News Staff Undecided
Staff at Imedi TV?s news department are set to make an announcement regarding their future at the station once Badri Patarkatsishvili has made a statement, which is expected in the next few hours, a newscaster announced on the Imedi 3pm news bulletin.
The announcement came after six journalists from Imedi TV?s popular weekly program Droeba said they were quitting the station following allegations that presidential candidate and co-owner of the station Badri Patarkatsishvili was involved in a coup plot.
?Imedi TV staff regret that our colleagues have decided to quit the station,? the newscaster said. ?The television station?s news department wants to announce its position. We expect that the founder of the station will make a statement in the next few hours about the station?s ownership issues and about his political plans. We will make our decision afterwards. Until then Qronika [an Imedi TV news program] will continue working as usual.?
Meanwhile, Georgian PM Lado Gurgenidze said on December 26 that he would get in touch with News Corp., a co-owner of Imedi TV, to inform the company about the recent developments involving Patarkatsishvili.
He also said that it was up to News Corp. to decide its future plans in respect of Imedi media holding.
?But I do not rule out that in light of recent developments, News Corp. may be unwilling to continue [its involvement in Imedi TV]. Nothing is ruled out. This is no ordinary situation,? Gurgenidze said.
