The Media Advocacy Coalition is deeply concerned about the Public Broadcaster’s ongoing violations of constitutional and legislative responsibilities. Under the clear influence of “Georgian Dream,” the broadcaster fails to provide balanced and comprehensive coverage of significant events in the country. This influence is particularly evident in the actions of General Director Tinatin Berdzenishvili and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Vasil Maghlaperidze.

The Public Broadcaster’s biased actions are particularly alarming now, amid national protests against “Georgian Dream’s” stolen elections, torture, mass violence, and the targeting of media representatives and political prisoners. During this critical time, the Public Broadcaster has ignored key societal issues and demonstrated a clear bias favoring “Georgian Dream.”

The Public Broadcaster’s actions violate both Georgian law and international standards regarding independent editorial policies and media pluralism. Its leadership has disregarded legitimate calls from the Board of Trustees, some journalists, and the public for greater socio-political discussion. In tandem with ongoing protests against “Georgian Dream,” demonstrators are gathering daily in front of the broadcaster’s building to oppose its biased reporting. An initiative group recently noted that, while they secured limited airtime for an emergency broadcast in December, the Public Broadcaster failed to uphold its commitment to resume public broadcasting. Their demands remain consistent: they call for the leadership’s resignation, the release of political prisoners, and new elections. “Freedom for political prisoners! Freedom for Mzia Amaglobeli!” states the initiative group’s announcement regarding an action on January 29, marking two months of protests at the First Channel’s former building.

Some members of the Board of Trustees have distanced themselves from the unfounded criticisms made by Board Chairman Vasil Maghlaperidze and his supporters about the protests. This criticism extends to the broadcaster’s lack of solidarity with journalists, particularly regarding the illegal detention of Mzia Amaglobeli, who has been on a hunger strike for 18 days. Beyond biased reporting, board members have raised serious concerns about the broadcaster’s management: issues around financial spending, program planning, the inactivity of daytime broadcasting, salary distribution principles, and management of conflict of interests within the organization.

In this context, the urgent resignation of the broadcaster’s leadership, Vasil Maghlaperidze and Tinatin Berdzenishvili, is necessary, along with the appointment of unbiased professionals to take their place. It is crucial to eliminate any form of censorship and guarantee the complete independence of journalists. The demands of the public, the Board of Trustees, and some staff must be considered seriously in shaping program policies.

The current state of the Public Broadcaster poses a threat not only to media freedom but to the entire democratic process in Georgia.