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“The TV stations Rustavi 2 and Mze do not cover the National Council’s elections campaign”

Opposition coalition member and Freedom party leader Konstantin Gamsakhurdia is accusing the country’s major television channels of ignoring their parliamentary campaign, Akhali Taoba writes:

As an argument he points out that the television stations Rustavi 2 and Mze are boycotting them.

Gamsakhurdia states that the rest of the political opposition are given fair treatment.

“In the elections campaign, the National Movement has priority as it is part of the ruling majority. All political opposition forces, except the National Council [opposition coalition] are running a campaign in equal conditions. As for us, our campaign is limited and the reason for this is the boycott from Rustavi 2 and Mze. These TV stations are invited to all our presentations and briefings, though they are not coming and are stating that we are boycotting them. I want to assure you that this is not true,” Gamsakhurdia said.



“The TV station Maestro to hold the protest in front of parliament”

Resonani reports that staff from the small cable television station Maestro will protest in front of parliament today:

The TV station calls all the representatives of mass media to join them in fighting for freedom of speech and to express their position.

“All who work in the mass media and think that freedom of speech is in danger, join us. Let’s protect freedom of speech together,” the Maestro staff say.

The TV station’s employees held a silent protest action outside parliament on April 14 also. They demanded a broadcast license that would enable them to air political programs.

The Georgian National Communications Commission denied a general television license to Maestro, which mainly broadcasts entertainment and musical programs.

The small TV station was warned to stop broadcasting its talk shows, including “Profession: Journalist,” “Without Comments” and “Polling.”



“Mamuka Katsitadze and David Kereselidze met with Rachvelians living in Tbilisi”

Sakartvelos Respublika reports that opposition coalition parliamentary candidates from the mountainous Racha region, Mamuka Katsitadze and Davit Kereselidze, met with other Racha emigrants living in Tbilisi:

Mamuka Katsitadze is the majoritarian MP candidate from Ambrolauri, a town in Racha, and Davit Kereselidze is from Oni, Racha’s largest town.

At the meeting, the candidates talked about problems in the region.

“The locals are leaving the region in droves, as they are hopeless,” Katsitadze said.



“The risk of avian flu reduced in Georgia”

Akhali Taoba reports that the risk of bird flu in Georgia is waning for the year:

The head of the National Service of Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection, Levan Orkoshneli, says that migration season for birds is nearly over.

“The risk of avian flu spreading in Georgia has reduced, though a special headquarters controlling avian flu on Georgian borders will still function for a month to avoid even a little danger of spreading the virus,” Orkoshneli stated.