The two incidents of attacks on journalists have raised concerns about the safety of journalists again in the country. Two crew members of TV channels have been attacked recently.
After the attack Mtavari TV accused the government-supported person behind the attack. On the other hand a Minibus driver attacked the TV Monitoring crew who said he was unhappy with a report aired on their TV a few days ago.
The attack on crew members of the TV Monitoring journalist, and cameraman Beka Pirveli and Shota Sadaghashvili took place in Tbilisi. Beka Pirveli speaking about the attack said that this incident happened because of their recent TV report on uncomfortable and unsafe conditions on the Tbilisi-Gori-Tbilisi bus route.
The report also highlighted many other facilities’ shortcomings including the lack of air conditioning on hot summer days. The report also highlighted how drivers used tiny chairs to accommodate the maximum number of passengers on the bus.
The attackers included the bus drivers. Moreover according to Beka Pirveli the incident began when the bus driver stopped them from boarding the bus. The driver also used abusive language against them according to a recent report as well.
One of the members who received injuries to his head and other parts of his body was rushed to hospital as soon as possible. The representative of TV Monitoring added that all relevant authorities have been informed about the case so that the culprits can be brought to justice as soon as possible.
It is worth noting that according to the Georgia criminal code Interference with a journalist’s professional activities is punishable with the strictest provisions. Notably the opposition parties and media houses slammed the ruling Georgian Dream party for its targeted attacks on individuals.
A few months ago when large-scale protests were happening across the country there were many reports of attacks on the members of the media houses. The protestors were raising the demand to repeal the law to regulate foreign funding in the country.
