In response to the government's continued ban on TV journalist Telara Gelantia, the Public Defender's Office of Georgia issued a statement calling on the relevant parties to ensure unrestricted access to information for media representatives and to allow journalists to attend government meetings and ask their questions in compliance with the principle of equality.
The Public Defender's Office emphasized that the ban on Gelantia is part of a recent trend in which government organizations refuse to let press members attend briefings and events, adding that this practice is contrary to the concept of equality. The Office emphasized the media's unique duty in educating the public and the critical press' crucial part in the self-determination of society and building a democratic state.
The Public Defender's declaration was made two days after Gelantia, for the second time on September 26, was refused entry to a meeting of the Government Administration. After being turned away on a second occasion, Gelantia said on Facebook that government personnel told BMG they were welcome to send any other journalists in addition to her to meetings. On September 12, Gelantia was first denied entry because she was breaking regulations and asking many questions that annoyed other workers. At the time, Gelantia asserted that she had reasonable doubt that the recent report she had written criticizing the lack of openness in government choices was the cause of her being blacklisted.
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