**Georgian Public Broadcaster Denies Criticism from Employees**
The management of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) has denied allegations made by employees who are critical of the station’s editorial policy. In a statement, GPB claimed that the employees’ public statements contained false information and damaged the organization’s reputation.
**Employees Accuse GPB of Bias and Lack of Independence**
The critical employees, including Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, Nino Zautashvili, Kakha Melikidze, and Gia Imnaishvili, have accused GPB of bias and a lack of editorial independence. They have criticized the station’s coverage of key events, such as the attack on Transparency International Georgia member and journalist Zviad Koridze, and the assault on a GPB cameraman during pro-EU rallies.
**GPB Management Responds to Criticism**
In its statement, GPB management claimed that a “discrediting campaign” has been waged against the broadcaster over the past four months. They accused the protesting employees of violating their employment contracts and internal regulations by making public statements that spread “false accusations” and “tarnish the broadcaster’s image.”
**Media Advocacy Coalition Condemns GPB’s Actions**
The Media Advocacy Coalition, a media watchdog, has condemned GPB’s actions, calling the decision to involve the prosecutor’s office “alarming” and a direct threat to media freedom. The coalition accused the GPB leadership of trying to silence independent reporting and suppress criticism.
**Protests Continue Outside GPB Building**
Public dissatisfaction with GPB has been growing since last year’s pro-European rallies, when citizens criticized the broadcaster for failing to cover police crackdowns on demonstrators. Protests outside the GPB building have continued in recent weeks, with protesters demanding access to live broadcasts to counter what they perceived as state-controlled narratives.
**GPB Board Calls for Prosecutor’s Investigation**
On March 22, eight members of the GPB board of trustees called for the prosecutor’s office to investigate what they termed “groundless accusations” by the critical employees. This move has further fueled tensions within the organization and raises concerns about media freedom in Georgia.