Mze TV ends news coverage, to stay on-air

National television station Mze TV closed down its news service yesterday, a station executive confirmed.

Mze news chief Khatuna Berdzenishvili said the station itself “will not shut down.”

The owners decided it was time for a “reorganization” at Mze, she said. The television channel is jointly owned by Georgian Industrial Group, which is tied to a ruling party MP, and GeoMedia Group holding. Together the two groups also own leading television channel Rustavi 2 and other, smaller media outlets.

Berdzenishvili said the station owners decided Rustavi 2’s news coverage is enough for the small Georgian market.

She denied media reports that Mze’s director was sacked after refusing to sign off on the format change. Calling that story a “lie,” she said “[the director] is here and doesn’t plan to go anywhere.”

Management will decide in the “nearest future” what to do with Mze, Berdzenishvili said. Its director suggested yesterday the station will adopt an entertainment and educational program line-up.

Mze’s news staff will not be without jobs, the news chief said: the channel is negotiating with other Georgian television stations to transfer Mze’s staff.

One Mze journalist, who requested anonymity because staff were told not to speak about the deal, said most of the reporters were offered jobs at Imedi TV, the formerly pro-opposition station which closed its doors in December, and plans to renew news broadcasts this fall under new management.

Georgian political analyst Ramaz Sakvarelidze suggested that Mze’s news service is ending in anticipation of Imedi’s return. Both stations, as well as Rustavi 2, are now widely seen as pro-government.