OSCE Media Freedom Representative deplores violence against media workers during demonstration in Tbilisi

VIENNA, 21 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today deplored the violent incidents and mistreatment of media workers during yesterday’s demonstration in Tbilisi, and said that journalists’ safety must be ensured at all times.

According to reports, on 20 June more than 30 media workers from various media outlets, including from Reuters, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Georgian Bureau, Rustavi 2 channel, Civil.ge, 1TV channel, TV Pirvelli channel, Kavkazsky Uzel, Netgazeti.ge, On.ge, OC Media, Maestro TV, Adjara TV and radio, and Interpressnews.ge, received serious injuries, primarily from rubber bullets fired by riot police, were assaulted, detained or had their equipment damaged while covering a public demonstration in Tbilisi. 

“I deplore all cases of violence and attacks on media workers during last night’s demonstrations in Tbilisi, as serious obstacles to pluralism and media freedom. The media has the right to cover public events, and law enforcement must respect journalists’ right to report in a free and safe manner at all times,” Désir said. 

In particular, the Representative noted reports that a photographer Guram Muradov of Civil.ge received 11 rubber bullet wounds in his back, reporter Tamar Bagashvili with Rustavi 2 suffered from bone fractures, and Giorgi Sulashvili, who provided security to the Rustavi 2 crew, lost an eye and had his jaw bone fractured.

“I call on the Georgian authorities to promptly investigate all incidents involving journalists and bring all those responsible to account under the law,” Désir said. “I also call for urgent measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, by the authorities engaging with media organizations on best practices to ensure journalists’ safety during demonstrations.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.