Salome Zourabichvili Responds to Public Broadcaster Board Controversy
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, March 24, 2025
Georgia's fifth President, Salome Zourabichvili, has commented on recent developments within the Board of Trustees of the Public Broadcaster, expressing concerns over the discussions regarding certain journalists.
In a social media post, Zourabichvili criticized the willingness of individuals to involve law enforcement in disputes with colleagues, drawing a historical parallel to Soviet-era political practices.
"Today, people are so shamelessly adapting to this situation and are ready to send their colleagues to prison. It shows what this regime has turned into! This conversation was recorded and will never be erased from the pages of our history, we should all know this!
We understand that you are not going to Europe, but do you understand that you are not going anywhere at all?
Today, this is the main question: 'To be or not to be?' Are we ready, like them, to hand over another person to the 'competent authorities'? And for what? For expressing a different opinion and position?"
The discussion within the Board of Trustees centered on journalists Vasil Ivanon-Chikovani, Nino Zautashvili, Kakha Melikidze, and Gia Imnashvili, who had previously voiced critical opinions about the broadcaster's management. Some board members argued that these journalists had accused the leadership of slander without providing sufficient evidence.
As a result, certain members suggested referring the matter to the Prosecutor's Office for further investigation, believing that the accusations might have been made with specific intentions.
