Maestro TV Continues Broadcasting from New Location

Maestro TV restored broadcasting on cable networks on Friday. Having demonstratively left the former building of the TV company on the night of December 1, Maestro staff continues airing programs in the ordinary way from the studio of its FM radio station. But as Erosi Kitsmarishvili, founder of Rustavi Media Management Company (RMMC) which manages Maestro TV, said at a press conference, no one except his company is authorized to carry out Maestro TV’s broadcasting.

Kitsmarishvili appealed to the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) to stop carrying out Maestro TV’s broadcasting signal, but it is beyond GNCC’s competence to give such instructions to cable networks. According to the agreement with broadcasters, cable operators define the list of channels they carry out independently. As commission explained, Maestro TV has a license which enables it to carry out broadcasting from any part of the capital without a problem and the managing company has nothing to do with that. Advising the sides to solve the problem in court, the GNCC encouraged them not to hinder journalists in carrying out their professional obligations in a calm and peaceful environment “because the independence of media should always be prior to any kind of dispute or financial problem.”

Mamuka Glonti, co-founder of Maestro TV left his position as the main producer of Maestro TV on Saturday, saying he would keep his 15% share in the company but stay away from decision-making. Explaining that he tried to save Maestro TV from the slander that might affect its ratings, Glonti said he has been trying to protect the TV company from “a new serious wave of attacks” from Kitsmarishvili backed up by the government. Worried that part of society has generated a negative attitude towards him due to the Maestro-related issue, Glonti expressed his disappointment that he is no more considered as a media representative, but a side in a conflict. “By leaving my position as a producer I may unconsciously put my colleagues, whom I appreciate so much, in the shade,” explained Glonti.

Controversies around Maestro TV Company between the founders and the managing firm have become the subject of discussion in society. If Mamuka Glonti accused Kitsmarishvili of following a government plot against the so-called oppositional channel, then Kitsmarishvili also accused Maestro TV’s owners of cooperating with businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili against his wishes. Denying any negotiations with the businessman, who has recently joined the political arena, Glonti said Ivanishvili had only offered “assistance” explaining that they would accept assistance for the TV station from anyone if the donor does not interfere in the editorial policy.

US Ambassador to Georgia John Bass spoke of the importance of ensuring clear and transparent editorial policy for any media outlet so that the viewers could have a clear sense who within the company is involved in setting the editorial policy and decide what news to cover and what news not to cover. “The amendment taken to law by Georgia’s parliament last year in terms of transparency in media ownership is a step forward to achieving editorial policy transparency”, Bass stated.