Media Advocacy Coalition - a coalition of Georgian CSOs active in the field of freedom of speech and expression has issued a statement on the case against Davit Kezerashvili, founder of Formula TV.
The CSOs stress that the Tbilisi Court of Appeals Ruling of March 21, 2023 may endanger the functioning of Formula TV and put pressure on journalists.
“It is important to note that multiple question marks remain on the case while both Tbilisi City and the Court of Appeals acquitted Mr Kezerashvili on the same case,” the statement says while also pointing out that number of other critical media owners, or their family members are under prosecution, or indeed in jail - such as Nika Gvaramia, a Mtavari TV CEO and co-owner “whose imprisonment was assessed as politically-motivated by authoritative international organizations.”
“Attempts of pressuring media by the Georgian Government not only worsens the media environment but also deepens polarization. This is particularly worrying in the process of Georgia obtaining the status of the EU candidate country as both depolarization and ensuring media freedom are parts of the conditions necessary to obtain the status,” the CSOs stress.
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