Kakheti Media

Neighbors in Gurjaani (Kakheti, East Georgia) gather up every day at a specially set up place to read newspapers. "The Purtsaladzes are the most well-off family in our district, the only family who can afford buying newspapers. Papers go around from hand to hand across the whole district," Mrs Nazi told me calling the place a library. 

Only two local independent newspapers such as the Spectrum and the Kakhetis Khma (Voice of Kakheti) come out in the region. Maya Kalibagashvili, the Spectrum founder and director arrived to the editorial office in September 2009. Throughout eight months Kalibegashvili used to work at the Kakheti governor’s office as a chief specialist in media field. Eight-page Spectrum with the circulation of 800 is being disseminated in almost all villages in Kakheti. The articles are mainly related to the local problems. Since 2007 the articles on the work of eight municipalities has been published. The service is paid and it’s one of the main sources of income for the newspaper. The advertising revenue has considerably decreased for a year now. According to Maya Mamulashvili, founder and editor-in-chief of the newspaper the circulation of the paper tops 2,000. Four pages out of 12 is apportioned to the Eurasia Foundation project Transparent Budget. The fact her spouse is an incumbent chairman of Gurjaani Sakrebulo (local authorities), Maya Mamulashvili said, doesn’t affect the quality and content of the newspaper.

"In case my husband does wrong I am the first to write about it in my newspaper," Mamulashvili stressed.

Gela Mtivlisvili, head of the Kakheti Information Center censures the regional media activities. According to him the level of independence of media is low. " If we look through regional newspapers, I am not going to say anything either bad or good about my colleagues, you will see how independent and qualitative materials are being published in the newspapers, from my point of view as an ordinary reader there is no such. Four pages out of 12 is apportioned for the advertising by the authorities, and the money for the service is covered from the local budget, as well as in my newspaper," Gela Mtivlisvili said.

Mtivlisvili used to be the editor of an independent newspaper Imedi (Hope).The newspaper stopped functioning in June 2009. Gela Mtivlisvili cited the pressure by Vice Governor Giorgi Sibashvili as a reason, stating that since Sibashvili’s appointment to the position he wanted to impose control on Kakheti media.

"In general Sibashvili is eager to power many situations, that’s why he is the vice governor... If he were actually keeping control over media then we would face applauds and bitter reality wouldn’t have been featured in media in this context," Vice Governor ironically responded to the accusation by Mtivlishvili. In addition he affirmed since late 2008 Mtivlishvili’s newspaper had been transferred money from Gurjaani municipality for the service but the funding was cut few months later.

The main income of Gurjaani TV, GEL 25,000, is apportioned from the local budget on an annual basis. According to Zviad Ruadze, head of TV news service the TV editorial policy is independent and the money apportioned from the budget is meant for advertising service and includes commercial interests.

The weekly political talk show the Power of the Powerless is being implemented within the Open Society Georgia Foundation project. The program is aired through the studio. In the course of the programme the guests to the studio respond to the questions by the audience. "This is the only evening when my wife isn’t watching TV series," Soso, 48, told me.

Mini buses in Kakheti are mainly filed with the radio Hereto broadcasts. Hereti is heard across Kakheti region and a part of Saingilo (Azerbaijani territory adjacent to Kakheti). A rather well equipped office of the radio is located in Lagodekhi. News outlets are aired every half an hour.

Lagodekhi-based LTV broadcasts 24/7. According to Lali Khibulava, TV Director the income from advertising has slightly increased this year and positive changes are observed in the development of the channel. But the LTV air is filled with movies and music videos throughout a daytime. The only political talk show is aired live once per week.

Another independent television Tanamgzavri (Satellite) broadcasts in Telavi and adjacent villages. The TV office is located in a 2-story flat. News outlets and a weekly political talk show Dialogue are being aired from the only studio. Tanamgzavri TV survives with scarce advertising income. According to Enri Kobakhidze, TV Director international donors refuse to fund the TV. "Pressure and threats by the authorities have been on for years now, they hate to face reality. We are not afraid and still carry on our activities, we would like to advance," TV Director reported.