**Georgian Public Broadcaster Plagued by Political Bias and Censorship, Report Finds**
The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) is in the midst of a severe institutional crisis, according to a monitoring report released on April 15 by the Media Advocacy Coalition. The report reveals a pattern of political bias, censorship of opposition and pro-Western views, and systematic pressure on dissenting employees.
**Management Under Fire**
The coalition’s findings suggest that GPB’s top leadership, including Chair of the Board of Trustees Vasil Maghlaperidze and General Director Tinatin Berdzenishvili, serve the interests of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The report claims that these leaders “openly persecute” employees who publicly criticize and protest against the broadcaster’s editorial policy.
The European Parliament has previously condemned Maghlaperidze and Berdzenishvili for enabling repressive policies and propaganda on behalf of Bidzina Ivanishvili, a key figure in the ruling party. The coalition highlights that key editorial roles are held by individuals with ties to GDS, a pro-government TV station affiliated with Ivanishvili’s son.
**Editorial Interference and Censorship**
The report details several instances of editorial interference, including demands to censor interviews critical of the GD government and the sidelining of programs offering space for public debate. A GPB producer was allegedly asked to remove critical remarks from an interview with a detained actor, while anchors and journalists who challenged the editorial line were dismissed.
In one notable case, Moambe news anchor Vasil Ivanov–Chikovani was taken off the air and later fired after expressing solidarity on air with a detained director of online media outlets. Real Space host Nino Zautashvili’s show was removed from the air and moved to radio under the pretext of technical relocation.
**Employees Speak Out**
Following their dismissals, several employees decided to leave GPB, citing management’s efforts to silence individuals with “free and unwavering values.” Tea Kakhiani, head of the monitoring department at GPB, and actor and TV host Davit Velijanashvili were among those who left the channel.
**Calls for Leadership Resignation**
The Media Advocacy Coalition concluded that GPB has failed to meet international standards of public broadcasting. The watchdog called for the resignation of Berdzenishvili and Maghlaperidze, urging their replacement with a “politically independent leadership.”
In light of these findings, it is clear that GPB faces a severe institutional crisis, one that requires immediate attention from authorities. The coalition’s report serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting editorial independence and promoting diverse perspectives in public broadcasting.
**What’s Next?**
As protests continue outside the GPB building, calling for balanced coverage and greater transparency, it remains to be seen whether the government will take concrete steps to address these concerns. One thing is certain: the Georgian people deserve a public broadcaster that reflects their values and promotes inclusive dialogue.
In our next article, we will delve deeper into the implications of this report and explore what can be done to restore GPB’s credibility as a trustworthy and impartial news source.