26 April 2007, 23:37
Georgian national defender is anxious about pressure on mass media
The fact that the authorities of Georgia are funding new media outlets in the regions is creating serious problems for the existing newspapers - they have not only stopped to develop in order to gain independence in the local market, but in many cases get bankrupt. Closing of local newspapers is a great threat to the existence of independent media.
This is one of the basic topics in the report of Georgian Ombudsman Sozar Subari "On Situation with Defence of Rights and Freedom of Georgian Citizens - Second Half of 2006."
The report also mentions the decision of the authorities to cancel tax privileges for printed media. The term of two years' tax exemptions for the press introduced under the initiative of the President expired back on December 31, 2006.
Ombudsman Subari called the Georgian mass media to inform his Office about any facts of exerting pressure on journalists by authorities or any other forces.
Author: Alena Aleschenko, CK correspondent
