During an event held on December 10, 2024 at the Orbeliani Palace, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili addresses the media representatives and honored them with the “Civil Dedication Medal.” The award recognizes “exemplary civic dedication, exceptional civic responsibility, and personal bravery.”
In her address, President Zourabichvili praised the journalists for their unwavering commitment to their profession amid challenging circumstances:
President Salome Zourabichvili’s address to the media:
“You took not only the camera and the microphone in your hands, but also the future and fate of this country. For this, you will also go down in the history of Georgia, as the heroes of today’s era, because it is not easy to get to where these beasts are, face them and dare to ask them questions.”
The President in her address also noted, “‘There was a time when they were releasing gas and you were still standing there. When journalists are being trampled, don’t give up there, don’t be afraid. I don’t know, I really wouldn’t have dared for you.”
“If you were not there and tomorrow, probably, you will be under even more pressure if they continue to be like this. Because you’re the window through which we see what’s happening.”
She cited, “If it weren’t for you, people who are not out demonstrating because they can’t stand there, they wouldn’t know what is going on and even from one part to the other part of the protest that is happening in several cities, we wouldn’t know that the country is standing against this injustice.” “So your presence and your dedication is very important, today, tomorrow and forever and for that commitment I will reward you today, ” she added.
After that the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili awarded journalists, cameramen and photographers with medals for civic dedication. While giving the awards to the journalists she expressed her gratitude towards them and said, “Thank you, but you are not doing this for gratitude. You do it because you fully understand the essence of your professional duty. Tomorrow, you may face even greater pressure if those in power remain in this state. You are the window through which we see what is happening. Without you, those who cannot join the protests on the streets would not know what is going on—even from one part of the protests to another, across the city or in different towns. So your presence and your dedication is very important, today, tomorrow and forever and for that commitment I will reward you today.”
