Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Radio Liberty's President/CEO Jamie Fly.
"The meeting at the Government Administration revolved around Georgia's current state of affairs and the events of July 5-6.
During the meeting, Irakli Garibashvili singled out freedom of expression and freedom of the press-principles enshrined in the Constitution and protected through various legal documents on a national level-as the Georgian Government's priorities.Georgia's media policy is one of the most liberal in Europe, and any stakeholder can, based on a simple application, start broadcasting within 10 days, without licensing, the Prime Minister added. He also emphasized that the Government remains committed to ensuring freedom of the press, transparency, and pluralism, with progress in this area evidenced by Georgia's leading positions in numerous international rankings.
The Prime Minister once again condemned the acts of violence against media representatives on July 5-6, including against Radio Liberty's journalist and camera operator, adding that relevant legal measures are underway, and all perpetrators will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
According to the Head of Government, the Interior Ministry has already detained 29 persons on charges of violent threats an illegal interference with professional journalistic duties, violence and violent persecution/threats, and collective violence-including the person who verbally attacked and assaulted Radio Liberty's journalist. The investigation continues, and all perpetrators will be prosecuted.
Jamie Fly resumed his leadership of RFE/RL as President and Chief Executive Officer on February 16, 2021, following his reappointment by the RFE/RL Board of Directors. Fly was first named RFE/RL President and Chief Executive Officer on July 10, 2019, effective August 1, 2019. Prior to his appointment, Fly served as a senior fellow, co-director of the Alliance for Security Democracy, and director of the Future of Geopolitics and Asia programs at the German Marshall Fund of the United States," - reads the press release by the Government Administration.
