Georgian PM: treatment of free media reveals condition of European bureaucracy

Speaking to journalists in Baku, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said that the attitude of the European bureaucracy toward media freedom, and in particular toward specific free media outlets, “illustrates the overall condition” of the EU institutional system.

His remarks came in response to a question regarding the appeal by Georgian broadcaster Rustavi 2 against a decision by the European Parliament.

Kobakhidze stated that using all available legal instruments is appropriate, but sharply criticised what he described as the approach of European institutions toward independent media.

“Every legal instrument should be used where appropriate”, he said. “As for the attitude of the European bureaucracy toward media freedom in general, and in this case toward specific free media outlets, ultimately it is a demonstration of the state European bureaucracy has reached as a whole. For them, values no longer matter, including human rights and media freedom. This is clearly visible in this specific example, where certain free media outlets are being restricted in their activities within the walls of the European bureaucracy”.