“Best” Journalists and Media Outlets 2011 Announced in Tskhinvali

Tskhinvali based newspaper Respublika (Republic) in collaboration with the State Committee for Information and Mass Communications of the de facto republic organized an opinion-poll for identifying best journalists and media organizations of last year.  According to Internet publication Osinform, questionnaires for identifying best representatives of media have mainly been filled out by authorities.  In the jury were editors of newspapers, directors of TV and radio stations, heads of news agencies and Internet publications operating in the de facto republic.  Zalina Tskhovrebova, editor of South Ossetia newspaper refused to participate in the opinion-poll.  It is noteworthy that 99% of media organizations operating in Tskhinvali are financed from the budget.  The only independent newspaper, XXI Century, is not printed permanently due to financial problems.  Representatives of this newspaper, independent bloggers and journalists working for other media outlets of Tskhinvali were not included in the list nominees of the contest. 

Contest winners were announced last week.  Yuri Vazagov, journalist of South Ossetia newspaper has been announced the best political observer of 2011.  Valentina Bestaeva, Khurzarin newspaper journalist has won the cultural sphere nomination.  Best interview journalist – Rada Zagoeva (newspaper Respublika); best sports reporter – Batraz Kharebov (TV-compan IRI); most promising journalist of the year – Zarina Kokaeva (Khurzarini newspaper); best journalist 2011 – Robert Kulumbegov (newspaper Respublika); media organization 2011 – newspaper Respublika. 

As we have mentioned the opinion-poll was conducted by the initiative of the Respublika newpaper, so it is not surprising that majority of winners is from the given publication.  Editor of competitor South Ossetia editor Zalina Tskhovrebova refused to participate to participate in the opinion-poll.  Tskhovrebova expressed support to opposition at December protest rallies, so naturally she had no hope to win a contest organized by the government.  Many journalists were not included in the contest participant list at all; same can be said about well-known Ossetian blogger Maria Plieva, who actively criticizes the local government.  Maria Plieva is unable to go home for almost a year, as authorities permanently threaten her.  Her family was threatened just recently again.  Plieva now lives in Vladikavkaz and writes blogs from there, although Vladikavkaz law enforcers also showed interest to her and arrested her for organizing an unsanctioned meeting.  Although the Court announced her not guilty, still the law enforcers are accusing her of hooliganism and investigation is still underway. 

Gana Ianovskaya and Zarina Sanakoeva prepare reports for the Radio Liberty program Ekho Kavkaza (Echo of the Caucasus).  They cannot understand what criteria are used for selecting contestants.  Zarina Sanakoeva told media.ge that local authorities just do not recognize them as journalists and often creates problems even when issuing accreditations.  According to her, such opinion-polls are organized in Tskhinvali every year and for the many it is just ridiculous.  It is clear that authorities vote not for journalists, but for other authorities. 

There is no independent media in the de facto republic.  Those journalists who try to write different materials are often oppressed.  Case of XXI Century newspaper editor Temur Tskhovrebov must also be noted.  He was severely beaten in downtown Tskhinvali for meeting Georgian colleagues abroad.  Before being beaten he was announced traitor.  MPs of de facto Parliament also participated in his beating, which are still at their positions.  Not a single person has been punished for Tskhovrebov’s beating.