OSCE media freedom watchdog welcomes reopening of Imedi TV in Georgia

VIENNA, 7 December 2007 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, today expressed satisfaction with the Georgian authorities' willingness to enable television station Imedi to resume broadcasting.

He cited the 4 December decision of the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) to return Imedi's TV broadcast license, as well as the 6 December court decision allowing staff back into their building to work.

"I am encouraged by this demonstration of political will on the part of the country's leadership to restore media diversity and contribute to a fair campaign for the presidential elections that will take place on 5 January," said Haraszti.

Imedi TV's license was suspended for three months on 8 November in connection with accusations of anti-state activities.

"I am pleased that the Georgian authorities have acted on the solution that we had worked out together during our discussions," Haraszti said.

Haraszti had travelled to the Georgian capital Tbilisi on 21-22 November, together with Peter Semneby, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, to help find a solution to the crisis.

During the visit he met with President Mikheil Saakashvili, the Speaker of the Parliament Nino Burjanadze, Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili, the GNCC, the State Prosecutor and Imedi's management. Haraszti met a second time with Foreign Minister Bezhuashvili during the OSCE Ministerial Council in Madrid on 29-30 November.

The Government of Georgia also indicated in meetings that they planned to compensate Imedi for repair costs for broadcasting equipment and premises stemming from the 7 November police raid on its offices, said Haraszti.

"I hope that no further restrictions will follow in the future, and that Imedi TV will be able to maintain its independent editorial line," he added.