The decision made is fair, impartial, and legally justified. The Public Broadcaster is following the process defined by the relevant legislation,” reads the statement released by the Public Broadcaster in response to the dismissal of TV anchors Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani and Nino Zautashvili.

According to the statement, through public comments made in the media, some of the mentioned employees have completely exhausted the possibility of a professional and constructive relationship with the employer, making normal cooperation impossible.

“For several months, a small number of employees involved in this process have demonstrated violations of the terms of their contracts with the Public Broadcaster, the organization’s internal labor regulations, as well as the requirements of internal local acts.

It should be emphasized that the hosts and journalists of the Public Broadcaster’s news service, analytical programs, and social issue broadcasts bear special responsibility and an obligation to uphold standards—both before the audience and the organization. The journalistic profession encompasses not only rights and freedoms but also obligations and responsibilities. Upholding this standard is particularly important for a media outlet such as the Public Broadcaster, and under no circumstances should the host of its broadcasts/programs become involved in public or political developments in a way that would compromise or call into question the broadcaster’s or their own impartiality and objectivity.

It should be taken into account that through public comments, some of the mentioned employees have completely exhausted the resources for a constructive and professional relationship with the employer, making further cooperation impossible.

To investigate potential violations of labor contracts signed with the Public Broadcaster and the internal labor regulations of the organization, disciplinary proceedings were launched against six employees.

We believe that employment and cooperation in any organization are based on mutual will and intent. In this case, that mutual intent no longer existed, which is why Georgian Public Broadcaster decided to terminate labor relations with Nino Zautashvili, the host of the program "Realuri Sivrtse" (Real Space), and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, the anchor of the news program “Moambe.”

As part of this disciplinary process, other employees of the broadcaster have received different forms of disciplinary sanctions: Tamar Mshvenieradze, a correspondent for “Real Space”; Ioseb Katsitadze, another host of the same program; Kakha Melikidze, control room director and also director at the sports channel; and Irma Chubinidze, director of the branding and promotion team.

The evaluation of the investigation's results regarding several other employees is still ongoing, and additional information on the outcomes of the disciplinary proceedings will be shared with the public upon the completion of the process.

We would like to emphasize that the Public Broadcaster is an independent media organization guided by applicable laws and its own regulations developed in accordance with international standards. The Public Broadcaster reiterates that any attack on its editorial independence or a campaign of false accusations that damage its image and reputation—regardless of the source—will not go unanswered.

The organization considers that the decision made is fair, impartial, and legally justified. The Public Broadcaster is following the procedures defined by law,” the statement says.