Affiliated media: TV channel Pirveli, TV channel

Incident date: March 20, 2020

Attack type:

• Arrest of bank account/ property

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Location: Georgia, Tbilisi

Additional information:

The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia imposed collection on the bank accounts of Mtavari Arkhi and Pirveli TV companies. On February 20, the Minister of Finance Ivane Machavariani said that TV channels that have accumulated debts to the budget would be given a five-year deadline for repayment. The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics said that the selective tax policy against broadcasters has been and remains a tool for the authorities to pressure the media. The Charter calls on the tax service to understand the critical situation the media are in now. Media Advocacy Coalition also stated: «Today, smooth operation of the media because of the SOVID-19 situation is critical to keep the public informed, which doubles as a responsibility of the state». NGO «Transparency International-Georgia» stated that in the circumstances of fighting the coronavirus, the government «needs» to provide certain benefits to the media, including the deferral of tax debts.