The messenger logo

Press Scanner

Compiled by Tato Gachechiladze
Monday, October 29
When we should expect concrete results of the new government?

With 88 votes in favor and 54 against, Georgia's new government was confirmed on October 25. However, the parliamentary minority did not support the new government. According to them, the new government’s program is rather vague and they were unable to declare their confidence.

“We could not get concrete answers from PM Bidzina Ivanishvili, many things in their program are unclear. So we could not support the government,” minority says.

Rezonansi asked people what they thought...

Lali Moroshkina, journalist: “I think people will see the first results very soon. People have a lot of expectations from this government as the majority of us voted for the Georgia Dream. Accordingly, the new cabinet will begin to fulfill their promises as soon as possible.

Actually, they had a very interesting pre election program and first thing which should be urgently resolved is the justice system.”

Manuchar Machaidze, former footballer: “Our country is in a very difficult condition. We should admit that the economic condition is very poor. However, I believe that our new government will fulfill all the promises and of course they need time to do it. There are certain issues which should be resolved soon and it does not need much time, although some issues need more time of course."



Kakheti region TV channels financed by local government

Rezonansi reports that two Kakhetian TV channels– LTV and Gurjaani received finances from the local self government budget. LTV is owned by Ecom which signed an agreement with the Lagodekhi Municipality in 2010, according to which a three-minute story in the weekly news program Kviris Kronika and daily news outlet Kronika, cost GEL 250. In 2011, the Lagodekhi-based TV company was paid GEL 20,000 from the local budget for the same service.

According to Georgian law on broadcasting, it is prohibited to fund news according to the same norm the funding of any type of program by an administrative body is restricted. However, this law has not been taken into account by the self-government bodies and the Lagodekhi Municipality has apportioned GEL 21,000 in 2012. According to the official papers requested from the Lagodekhi Municipality, funded TV stories were aired in the daily news programs.

Commenting on this issue Gia Gozalishvili, former Chairman of Lagodekhi Municipality said when signing the contract the two sides agreed that announcements and Sakrebulo sittings would be aired by the TV company.

Like Lagodekhi, the Gurjaani-based TV company was also funded from the local budget.

Gurjaani's Executive Director, Levan Aleksishvili, explained that through a special sign being on during the program “Dialogue” the viewers are notified that the advertising program is on. The news program has never had a sponsor, Aleksishvili says.