**Georgian Public Broadcaster Employees Condemn Crackdown and Bias**
Sixty employees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) have signed a statement criticizing the government‘s handling of protests and accusing their own employer of bias. The signatories include prominent TV presenters Nino Zautashvili and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani.
The document condemns the violent crackdown on protesters and the decision to halt Georgia’s EU membership process until 2028. It also expresses concern that GPB has not been independent in its reporting, saying it has failed to cover events impartially.
**Employees Demand Fair Coverage**
The employees are calling on GPB to provide a platform for public discussion and debate. They have criticized the channel’s recent biased coverage of protests and demand open access to live broadcasts. The protesters want the opposition leaders and President Salome Zurabishvili to be given airtime.
GPB management has denied any bias, saying they are free to broadcast impartially despite pressure from other media outlets. However, the employees’ statement suggests that GPB’s reporting has been heavily influenced by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
**Protests and Demands**
In recent days, protests have been held outside the GPB building demanding airtime for dissenting opinions. An agreement was reached with management to give public discussions airtime on both occasions.
The protesters also demanded the resignation of GPB’s director, Tinatin Berdzenishvili, and Board Chair, Vasil Maglaperidze, who is a former deputy chair of Georgian Dream.