13 June 2011, 14:00
In Georgia, a number of newspapers appeared with blank front pages in solidarity with "Media Palette"
Today, a number of newspapers appeared with the only inscription across the front page – Solidarity with "Media Palette". This was done in support of the Media Holding "Media Palette", whose enterprises had been audited for several days by the Ministry of Finance of Georgia.
Starting from June 7, the Revenue Service of the above Ministry was conducting a routine inventory at four enterprises of the "Media Palette". The top managers of the Holding do not exclude that it "could be an attempt to press the media," while the opposition in this regard has sharply criticized the government.
The action of solidarity with the Media Holding was supported by the Georgian newspapers "Resonanci", "Akhali Taoba", "Version", "Asaval-Dasavali", magazines "Liberal", "Rating", sports outlets "Olympus", "World Sports" and "Lelo". The action was initiated by the Coalition "For Media Advocacy", the IA "News-Georgia" reports.
"The decision was made because that freedom of speech is in danger," said Lasha Tugushi, editor of the "Resonanci", on air of the Internet television "TV Palette", which is a member of the above Holding.
The "InterPressNews" Agency – another member of the Holding – reports that supposedly on June 19 the above Revenue Service plans to start the inventory of the whole Media Holding.