Guria News Newspaper – Local Government Hinders Newspaper Distribution

Guria News newpaper (Guria region, westernGeorgia) management blames local authorities in hindering circulation of the newspaper, Guria News February 6 statement says.
 
“There are a lot of evidences that through heads of councils of villages, heads of state bodies, government tries to put pressure on distributors and subscribers.  Many people refrain from identifying themselves and opening confirming such facts, but there are brave individuals who openly state what kind of directives the authorities make at sessions and meetings; they directly tell people which newspaper to subscribe to and which not; what kind of threats, or propositions are made to the people who distribute Guria News…” Guria News statement published in February 6th edition of the newspaper reads.

Newspaper management claims that journalistic work gets complicated every day as authorities refuse, or hamper issuing of public information and prohibit their employees to answer questions asked by journalists.
“It is hard to work when the government openly tries to isolate you – only government-loyal media has the possibility to receive information about planned activities, official meetings and planned visits of guests,” the statement reads.

Guria News management requests for the oppression of journalists, newspaper readers and distribution to stop and to allow journalists to work freely. 

http://www.media.ge/en