Journalist Irakli Imnaishvili appointed as new Head of Rustavi 2 News Department

Journalist Irakli Imnaishvili has been appointed as the new Head of Rustavi 2 News Department, Paata Salia, the TV’s Director General, said at a briefing on Monday evening. According to him, Irakli Imnaishvili will serve also as the executive director of Rustavi 2.

“The doors of Rustavi 2 are open for everyone, for the professionals who have worked here for years and who really want this channel to be independent, impartial and critical television. We would like to inform the public about positive news, which, first of all, was very well received by the Rustavi 2 team, by the people who are loyal to this channel.

The number of these people is very high, about 800 people. Today I have introduced these people to a professional who does not need a special presentation, he is one of the first journalists who is remembered by the members of the Georgian society due to his criticism and resilience, who had to leave the country due to the pressure of previous government officials. This professional is Irakli Imnaishvili, who has worked for a long time in the UK, on BBC TV.

We had conversations and negotiations with Irakli for a long time to become the head of the news department as well as production direction and serve as the Executive Director of the TV Channel.

The negotiations with Irakli are on the final stages, and we hope that he will soon become a member of our team. His arrival has given people a big hope, and along with him, we are ready to recreate, revitalize, and strengthen the Television Company that has endured many crises during its existence.

We think that in this case, our TV Company will overcome this situation and will return even stronger. It will still be the number one channel in Georgia for the audience,” Salia said.

The whole staff of Rustavi 2 quoit the TV several days ago, earlier, on August 20, Paata Salia dismissed Nodar Meladze, Head of Rustavi 2 News Department, from his post. On the same day, news producer Giorgi Laperashvili, hosts of political talk shows Eka Kvesitadze and Giorgi Gabunia as well as Nanuka Zhorzholiani, the host of entertaining program were also dismissed. Following Salia’s decision to dismiss some of the employees earlier on August 20, the anchors of “Kurieri” news program Diana Jojua and Mikheil Sesiashvili announced that they quit.