**Mtavari TV Shuts Down: A Blow to Opposition Media in Georgia**
In a devastating blow to opposition media in Georgia, critical channel Mtavari TV has announced its closure. The news was confirmed by the channel’s journalists on social media today, April 28, with broadcasting set to cease altogether from May 1.
Mtavari TV had been off the air since February 15, airing only soap operas and reruns in hopes of resuming full broadcasting one day. However, those hopes have now been dashed. “Today this last hope has vanished,” wrote Tatia Tsotsonava, a journalist for the channel, on social media.
The closure of Mtavari TV is a significant blow to opposition media in Georgia. The channel was known for its critical reporting and had become a platform for voices that challenged the ruling Georgian Dream party. The decision to shut down the channel has been met with dismay from journalists and activists who see it as an attempt to silence opposition voices.
**A New Chapter for Mtavari’s Journalists**
While Mtavari TV may be closing its doors, many of its journalists are not giving up on their work. Since the beginning of April, several anchors have moved to YouTube, launching new channels such as “On Time” and “International Accents”. Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the opposition Coalition for Change and a founder of Mtavari TV, has vowed that a new channel will emerge from the ashes of the old. “This cannot happen otherwise, I believe and I know,” she said.
The tensions within Mtavari TV have been simmering for months. The channel’s general director, Giorgi Gabunia, had accused one of its co-founders, Zaza Okuashvili, of trying to shut down the channel and serve the interests of the ruling party. However, Okuashvili has fired back, accusing Gabunia and other leaders of “financial manipulation” that led to Mtavari’s artificial bankruptcy.
**A Dark Day for Georgian Democracy**
The closure of Mtavari TV is a dark day for Georgian democracy. The channel was an important platform for critical reporting and opposition voices, and its shutdown sends a chilling message to journalists and activists who dare to challenge the status quo.
As Georgia prepares for upcoming elections, the closure of Mtavari TV raises concerns about the ability of opposition media to operate freely in the country. Will other channels be next? Only time will tell.
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