Georgia: Pro-opposition television channel likely out of action for special election

Deirdre Tynan: 11/09/07

A representative of News Corp., controlling shareholder of Georgia's pro-opposition Imedi television channel, says the station's equipment was destroyed during a raid, adding that it appears unlikely the outlet will be able to resume broadcasting until after the Georgia's special presidential election in early January. Imedi's inability to broadcast could have a significant impact on campaign coverage, potentially diminishing Georgia's ability to conduct a free and fair vote.

Georgian Special Forces raided the pro-opposition media outlet late on November 7 shortly before President Mikheil Saakashvili imposed a state of emergency. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. As they acted to pull the plug on the station, security troops reportedly destroyed equipment. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Under terms of the state of emergency, all broadcasters, with the exception of the government-controlled public television channel, are prohibited from airing news programming for 15 days.

Andrew Butcher, a New York-based spokesman for News Corp., said the 15-day news ban was irrelevant given the extent of property damage at the station. "Every piece of electrical equipment was smashed or broken and they injured several journalists and members of staff," he said. "We estimate the extent of damage is so severe it will take at least three months to become operational again, and of course, presidential elections have been scheduled for 60 days time. Everything's down; TV, radio, internet ... there simply isn't the equipment to do anything."

Christopher Walker, director of studies at Freedom House, characterized Imedi as a "vital part of [Georgia's] information landscape." He added that if Imedi remains off the air during the presidential campaign, an "essential" component of what would make the election democratic and participatory would be missing. The special presidential election is scheduled for January 5.

Butcher indicated that News Corp. was exploring its legal options. "We will definitely be talking to lawyers about how to get compensation. There was no warning, no papers handed to the station manager, we don't know who authorized it, and we don't exactly know who carried it out," Butcher said

News Corp. took steps to assume a controlling interest in Imedi Media Holding, the television channel's parent company, on October 31. That's when Georgian tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili announced an intention to let News Corp. control his 51 percent stake in the company for one year. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Patarkatsishvili explained that his action would allow him to get more involved in politics, campaigning and fund-raising for a 10-party opposition alliance. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. News Corp. representatives said at that time that no actual transfer of shares had occurred, but added that the international media conglomerate should be considered to be Imedi's sole stakeholder for a year.

The purported transfer appeared designed to quell speculation that Imedi was acting as a propaganda tool used by the opposition. In comments made to The Associated Press, News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch said company officials had attempted to engage the Saakashvili administration, aiming to reassure the government that the station was not advancing a particular political agenda.

Imedi found itself on the center stage of Georgian politics in September, when it aired an interview with former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili, who accused Saakashvili of various misdeeds, including issuing instructions to "liquidate" Patarkatsishvili. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Okruashvili was arrested on September 27 and charged with corruption, negligence, money laundering and abuse of office. A week later he withdrew his comments and confessed to charges brought by the government against him. He eventually departed for Germany. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

A November 5 interview with Okruashvili, broadcast on Imedi, was perhaps a catalyst for the current crisis. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Okruashvili in the interview reiterated his allegations against Saakashvili. Security forces moved to disband an opposition protest in central Tbilisi two days later, sparking a chain of events that led to the state of emergency.

Editor's Note: Deidre Tynan is a freelance journalist who specializes in Central Asian affairs.

Posted November 9, 2007 © Eurasianet