MDF Expresses Concern with the Circulation of Information Related to Personal Secret of a Person

Media Development Fund expresses concern with the circulation of information related to person’s personal secret by media during last few days.

The 19 March statement by the MDF reads:  “It is especially concerning when such information is used in response to critical question asked by a journalist.  Right in the given context we must discuss journalist Eliso Janashia’s case who asked critical question in relation to situation in Poti at the briefing of Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili for regional journalists.  In response addressee of the critic, Chairman of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of Parliament Eka Beselia spoke about the health condition of the journalists’s mother and connected activeness of the journalist to her personal, family problems.”

Media Development Fund reminds that according to Point Two of the Article 41 of Georgian Constitution “information exiting in official records which is related to individual’s health, his finances or other personal issues, must not be available without consent from the given individual except of cases set by law when it is necessary for State security or public security, healthcare and protection of others’ rights and freedoms.”

“It is surprising that Human Rights Committee Chairman of Parliament ignores the Constitutional norm and publicly discusses health condition of a person who has nothing to do with public policy or the topic discussed at the briefing.”  MDF calls on Eka Beselia and other public figures “to respect the rights protected by Georgian Constitution and not to violate personal dignity of others in their argumentations.”

MDF also calls on media outlets “to carefully approach and refrain from circulating information about personal life of persons, furthermore that when the connection between the given information and discussed topic is not confirmed.” 

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