See: http://www.civil.ge/
Independent media were taken off the air in Georgia when President Mikhail Saakashvili declared a state of emergency (11.7) in response to mass anti-government demonstrations in Tbilisi. Until it was forced off the air, Imedi TV was rated Georgia's most popular television station. Today, Imedi, which means "Hope" in the Georgian language, is out of business - no broadcasts, no advertising revenue. To this day, the station is still not on the air.
"Viewers are smart enough, astute enough, to recognize Imedi portrays one view, Rustavi Two portrays another view," said Matthew Bryza, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. "You have to have all of those views out there in the marketplace of ideas, or you cannot argue you have a vibrant democracy. So, all broadcasts need to be resumed."
So the people decided it was time to mobilize to inform the government that a democracy does not shut down media, even when they are reporting the other side.
They marched in the opposite direction from which the military and riot police has pushed protesters on Nov. 7th, from Rika Square to the Parliament building. The 10,000 to 15, 000 met for maybe 20 to 30 minutes voiced their concern and then dispersed peacefully. They showed Saakashvili’s government that they were capable of a peaceful and organized protest.
I joined just as they turned from Freedom Square on Rustaveli St. At first we didn't think aything was happening, then we noticed that traffic had thinned and then disappeared all together, then we saw this...
Loads of people clapping and chanting Sakartevelo!
The banner says "Media Freedom! No Violence"
Yep, I'm really there. Actually standing on the double lines of Rustaveli, with the parliament building behind.
Of course, the police were in full force...but the are standing around eating sunflower seeds.
That's good boys.
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