Editors of the Regional Newspapers Moved into the Authority

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti

After the publisher and editor-in chief of the Kakheti based newspaper “Spektri” Maia Kalabegashvili was appointed as a spokesperson of the Kakheti regional governor, founder and editor-in-chief of one more regional newspaper “Progress” Leila Murakashvili joined the local authority. According to the information Kalabegashvili was lobbed by Irakli Kadagidze, head of Kakheti regional police department; as for Murakashvili, she was assisted by deputy regional governor Giorgi Sibashvili to occupy the position of the Gurjaani office of the Agency for Social Subsidies.

Husband of Maia Mamulashvili, publisher and editor-in-chief of the regional newspaper “Kakhetis Khma” is Zakaria Iaganashvili who has recently occupied the position of the chairperson of Gurjaani municipality board; his monthly salary is over 2 300 GEL (approx. 1000 Euro). Members of the municipality board presented him with such a well-paid position with the support of Giorgi Sibarshvili who is a close relative of their family.

Maia Kalabegashvili stated after leaving the newspaper that she assigned the editorial authority to her sister; however, short time ago Maia Mamulashvili said she is director general of the same newspaper after having moved to the authority and will not interfere the policy of the newspaper.

The changes in the editorial board of the newspaper resulted from the recently acquired high position of the husband of the former editor-in-chief.

“Although the Georgian Legislation does not forbidden close relationship between the governmental official and people running private business activities, we would like to state that if the relatives of the members of editorial boards are appointed at the high position in the local authority, they are temporarily deprived from the right to interfere in the policy of the editorial board, “ the statement was spread by the regional newspaper “Kakhetis Khma.”

In fact, Maia Kalabegashvili still runs the newspaper “Spektri” and Maia Mamulashvili is still makes decisions for the “Kakhetis Khma”.

As for the newspaper “Progresi”, the final issue was published on February 5 2009 and the main topic of it was the disagreement between the director and several teachers of Public School of the Vazisubani village.  The teacher, whose name is kept anonymous by the newspaper, reported to the journalist: “The situation was particularly tensed after Father Grigoli entered the room when children were speaking and the quarrel started.”

“It was shameful; I think the head of the regional eparchy should also take up the issue. Similar impulsive priest should not serve in the village. We had an impression that it was a well-staged performance and Father Grigoli had directed it,” the newspaper does not publish the name of these words either and he repeats only the words of the teachers.

Before this article was published in “Progresi” it was sent to the local newspaper “Imedi”. According to the editorial board the source of information requested the journalists to prepare the article based on the interview with the Episcope. After having checked it the information was not confirmed.

Relative of the Kakheti regional governor is working at Vazisubani Public School. According to one of the versions that person wanted to get hold of the position of the director. Although the regional governor Giorgi Ghviniashvili claims his relative cannot be a director of a public school, it is fact that former director of the Vazisubani Public School was fired with the active effort of the regional administration. Father Grigoli (Mtvarelishvili) is also member of the Board of Trustees at the school. His four children study at that school. According to our information Father Grigol was against firing Nona Achuashvili from the position of the school director and certain people managed to influence him otherwise. According to the reliable information, former head of Gurjaani district police department Soso Martashvili met the Episcope of the region and asked to convince the Father Grigol to change his mind regarding the firing of the director. Although the priest did not change his mind, Achuashvili was finally fired.

Independent journalist Nana Tvalabeishvili thinks that journalists are joining governmental structures because of their comfort.

“If a journalist is capable to benefit to the society by his/her activities, why s/he should go to the authority. I think they make similar decision in order to create comfort for themselves. I think the principles of the journalist should be above all other, like the high income of the governmental official,” said Nana Tvalabeishvili.

Eliso Chapidze, editor of the newspaper Resonance thinks that the journalist who wants to go the public agency should do it as soon as possible.

“The life for journalists is particularly difficult in the regions because the salaries are too low. Besides that they cannot see the perspective of personal development. To sooner and open s/he does it, the better. It is much more dangerous to have a person in media, particularly when s/he is editor or a publisher, who in fact serves the government. I do not say that it is the best outcome but every person has right to choice. Only time will show whose decision was more acceptable and correct for the society,” said Eliso Chapidze.