Public TV Cites ‘Lack of Footage’ Behind Failure to Report on Protest Break Up

The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) said on Wednesday, that it was not able to cover break up of hunger strike on Freedom Square on January 3 because of not having video footage from the scene.

All three major nationwide broadcasters – Rustavi 2 TV; Imedi TV and the public broadcaster’s First Channel – came under fire for not covering dispersal of the protest of veterans of the Georgia’s armed conflicts. The public broadcaster was the major target of criticism as it is publicly funded channel. Next day, on January 4, the news related to the January 3 developments appeared in the three channels’ news bulletins.

In a written statement on January 5, the Georgian Public Broadcaster brushed off complaints in its address, saying that “veterans’ problem has been the main topic of the news program of the Georgian Public Broadcasting since the rallies launched [on December 27].”

“Therefore, we deny the accusations about ignoring the problems of veterans,” it said.

“The only topic which did not get in our air was the dispersal of a veterans’ rally held on January 3, due to lack of video material,” the Georgian Public Broadcaster said and added that the story was reported next day when the video footage was obtained.

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