NGOs Respond to the Impeachment Initiative of Adjara TV and Radio Director

With this statement signatory non-governmental organizations would like to express our strong negative attitude towards the initiative of two members of the Advisory Board of the Adjara Public Broadcaster on the impeachment of Natia Kapanadze, Director of Adjara TV and Radio.

Under Natia Kapanadze’s management, the Adjara TV and Radio has been evaluated by a number of international and local reputable organizations as free, impartial and progressing institution, operating in an extremely polarized and politicized media environment.

At the moment it is essential to perceive the negative impact that the director’s potential impeachment may have on country’s democratic development and media freedom record. We hope that other members of the Advisory Board will demonstrate pragmatic approach favoring TV channel’s editorial independence.

We are watching carefully the developments at Adjara Television and Radio and it is our sincere hope that the discussions will be public and the society will be given an opportunity to engage in the process.   

1. Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA)

2. Media Club

3. Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

4. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information

5. Open Society Georgia Foundation

6. Alliance of Regional Broadcasters

7. Liberal Academy Tbilisi

8. Georgian Regional Media Association

9. Television Network

10. Small and Medium Telecom Operators Association of Georgia

11. Georgian Democracy Initiative

12. Transparency International Georgia

13. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy

14. Media Development Foundation

15. Tolerance and Diversity Institute