(WAN/IFEX) – In a 24 February 2004 letter to President Mikheil Saakashvili, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) condemned without reserve a series of attacks on the media since the November “Rose Revolution”. According to reports, some Georgian media outlets have been forced to close and several journalists have been attacked. Most recently, the […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 24 February 2004 letter to President Mikheil Saakashvili, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) condemned without reserve a series of attacks on the media since the November “Rose Revolution”.
According to reports, some Georgian media outlets have been forced to close and several journalists have been attacked.
Most recently, the Georgian weekly newspaper “Akhali Epoqa” reports that Georgian Security Forces invaded the offices of the Omega group, forcing the closure of “Akhali Epoqa” and “Omega”. The newspaper staff alleges that security forces opened fire on journalists and publishing house staff who had gathered at the Omega-tegi publishing house on 21 February.
This incident follows numerous reports of pressure applied by authorities on mass media and attacks on other journalists. The Independent Association of Georgian Journalists received 12 complaints in January alone about violence and pressure against journalists.
WAN and WEF reminded the president that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of intimidation. Such incidents foster a climate of fear that inhibits journalistic investigation and can promote self-censorship the organisations noted.
