Controversy over Imedi Radio’s Journalist ‘Sharp Question’

Nana Pazhava, Imedi radio’s Zugdidi bureau chief, has claimed that she was sacked for asking a sharp question to Giorgi Targamadze, leader of newly set up Christian-Democratic Party and former Imedi TV journalist. Later, however, she retracted allegations and said the problem was resolved.

Georgian TV reported on March 14 that “an incident” had taken place when Targamadze and fellow party activists were holding an indoor meeting with local residents and supporters in Zugdidi. TV showed footage of some activists forcing Pazhava out of the meeting hall. The report, however, did not elaborate.

Pazhava told Civil.Ge by phone on March 14 that the incident had occurred after she asked Targamadze, who was head of Imedi TV’s political programs, a question about rumors suggesting his party was financed by Eco-Food, a dairy producer company, in which, according to Pazhava, Vano Merabishvili, the interior minister, is rumored to have an interest. Pazhava said that the question had irritated Targamadze and he called her “a provocateur.” Shortly afterwards, Pazhava said, managing director of Imedi radio Nona Kandiashvili phoned her and told her she was sacked, citing a violation of journalistic ethnics. Kandiashvili could not be reached for comment at the time of writting the report.

Pazhava, however, later retracted all of her allegations and told Civil.Ge on March 17 that the problem had been resolved and she was restored back on her job.

Earlier on March 16, a group of local journalists in Zugdidi issued a statement calling on the Imedi radio management “to review its decision” because “Nana Pazhava has not violated journalistic ethics.” The statement also reads that the incident was reported in “an incorrect context,” portraying Pazhava as “a provocateur.”

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