The state of emergency is expected to be lifted November 16. Is that the right time to once again allow free media and public gatherings?
November 14
“We don’t know what’s going on in our country, there’s no Rustavi 2 or Imedi TV. I want the state of emergency to end quickly. And the government must allow Imedi TV to renew broadcasting. It’s the most objective station in Georgia.”
Mariam, banker, 30
“Of course I’ve noticed the emergency rule—there are no TV channels, and society’s activity has dropped. I don’t like it. Everyone is just waiting for these days of emergency rule to pass by quickly. Tbilisi does not look like Tbilisi now.”
Misha, economist, 28
“Well, I think declaring the state of emergency was the right decision for Saakashvili. There was no other way to calm people down. But everything looks okay now, so I don’t see why it’s necessary to continue the emergency rule.”
Nini, student, 19
“Okay, there’s a state of emergency in the country, but I don’t see any signs of it. Transport is working fine, and so are banks, shops and universities. All that’s missing is the television stations, so let’s wait another week for all this to blow over.”
Nika, photographer, 22
“I think November 16 will be the right time to lift emergency rule. They must allow a free media again. But I hope that people don’t try and hold demonstrations again—that’ll just exacerbate the situation.”
Keti, student, 21
“I don’t think the government should lift emergency rule and the media blackout until the end of the month. The media has made a big mess of things, and turned people against our authorities.”
Mari, doctor, 40
“They should have lifted the emergency rule already. People have calmed down, and there won’t be any more demonstrations.”
Nino, housewife, 30
“My family and I think we never had free media to begin with—Imedi has done everything to smear the government and turn people against it. Imedi is biased, and broadcasts lies. So, people would be better off if the government kept us all in an information vacuum a little bit longer.”
Nana, banker, 32
“November 16 is a good date to end the state of emergency and renew news broadcasts, but the government shouldn’t let any more protests take place. They’ve done a lot of bad for Georgian society and for our image in the international community.”
Irina, student, 24
Mariam, banker, 30
“Of course I’ve noticed the emergency rule—there are no TV channels, and society’s activity has dropped. I don’t like it. Everyone is just waiting for these days of emergency rule to pass by quickly. Tbilisi does not look like Tbilisi now.”
Misha, economist, 28
“Well, I think declaring the state of emergency was the right decision for Saakashvili. There was no other way to calm people down. But everything looks okay now, so I don’t see why it’s necessary to continue the emergency rule.”
Nini, student, 19
“Okay, there’s a state of emergency in the country, but I don’t see any signs of it. Transport is working fine, and so are banks, shops and universities. All that’s missing is the television stations, so let’s wait another week for all this to blow over.”
Nika, photographer, 22
“I think November 16 will be the right time to lift emergency rule. They must allow a free media again. But I hope that people don’t try and hold demonstrations again—that’ll just exacerbate the situation.”
Keti, student, 21
“I don’t think the government should lift emergency rule and the media blackout until the end of the month. The media has made a big mess of things, and turned people against our authorities.”
Mari, doctor, 40
“They should have lifted the emergency rule already. People have calmed down, and there won’t be any more demonstrations.”
Nino, housewife, 30
“My family and I think we never had free media to begin with—Imedi has done everything to smear the government and turn people against it. Imedi is biased, and broadcasts lies. So, people would be better off if the government kept us all in an information vacuum a little bit longer.”
Nana, banker, 32
“November 16 is a good date to end the state of emergency and renew news broadcasts, but the government shouldn’t let any more protests take place. They’ve done a lot of bad for Georgian society and for our image in the international community.”
Irina, student, 24