Tbilisi: A city-based NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) “ Media Advocacy Coalition” condemned the Georgian government’s recent ban on foreign Journalists. The Government has ordered entry bans twice this week against two foreign Journalists.
The representative of an NGO said that government decision is a very serious matter. It is a direct attack on independent media. This week the two Journalists, one from Armenia and another from Belarus were denied entry into Georgia. NGO called this step discriminatory, reflecting the grave situation of restrictions on media freedom and obstruction of independent journalism in the country.
It is to be noted that on September 17, Arsen Kharatyan the founder of Georgian-Armenian media AliQ Media, was not allowed to enter Georgia. Kharatyan is a former adviser to the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.
Kharatian faced the problem of a ban on entry into Georgia for the second time. Although he was allowed to enter the country for the first time after a delay. After that Kharatyan left Georgia and was not allowed to return again a second time.
Similarly on September 16, Andrei Mialeshka a well-known Belarusian journalist and activist living in Georgia was not allowed to enter the country. The blogger himself shared this information on social networking sites as well.
Andrei Mialeshka was with his minor son. His wife and second child remain in Georgia. The border police refused to explain the reasons for the non-entry.
Notably Ruling the Georgian Dream Party has illegally prevented journalists from entering the country. The said discriminatory and illegal restriction usually applies to journalists and activists who are critical of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the ruling party, alleged the NGO.
The NGO further added that the ruling party’s continued efforts to prevent journalists from entering the country are against democratic values and are a significant impediment to the accountability necessary for a healthy society.
Moreover such actions from the Government side further stifle the free exchange of information and undermine the public’s right to get informed about critical events in Georgia.
As per an NGO official, we called on the Government of Georgia to immediately stop this discriminatory practice and show commitment to international standards of media freedom. The media including foreign journalists should have the opportunity to cover the ongoing processes in Georgia without hindrance.
 “ Media Advocacy Coalition” condemned the Georgian government's recent ban on foreign Journalists.){kind=link}