Local Journalists Did Not Have Chance to Work during Governmental Meetings in Regions

On September 21 local media sources were not allowed in the building of Administrative Board to attend governmental meeting in Kutaisi.

Eliso Kiladze, Press-secretary of the Imereti Regional Gubernator said that she did not receive any particular orders regarding the mass media representatives.

Generally, the regional authority was expecting the president in excitement. They were to introduce the president with the project that aims to rehabilitate Kutaisi and it will cost 300 million lari for the state budget. However, journalists were not allowed to meet president and other officials.

Maia Metskhvarishvili, editor-in-chief of the “Akhali Gazeti: (New Newspaper): “During two weeks we had to check rumors about various facts. I hoped President’s arrival will clear up obscure situation but to my great surprise journalists were not allowed to work at all. In fact, we were in informational vacuum similar to previous two weeks. We expected much but in vain. I think that our rights were violated.”

Nana Tvalabeishvili, editor of the newspaper “Kutaisuri Versia” (Kutaisi Version): “It is well-known fact that during governmental meetings it is very difficult for journalists to work. However, current events exceeded our expectations. We could even not stand in front of the administrative building. Policemen made me leave the area under force.”