Georgia's Public Broadcasting Chief Dismissed

Georgia's Supervisory Council has dismissed the general director of the Public Broadcaster GPB, Giorgi Baratashvili.

The Supervisory Council's chairman said that the decision was made to prevent political interference in the GPB's editorial policies.

Baratashvili, who is currently on a business trip in Montenegro, said he was shocked by the news, saying he learned about it from friends.

Baratashvili was appointed GPB general director two months ago.

His sacking comes after he dismissed the head of the GPB's Information Service, Khatuna Berdzenishvili.

Berdzenishvili claims she was fired after she refused to follow Baratashvili's request "to show only positively all press conferences of Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili."

According to Berdzenishvili, Baratashvili has also offered her money and other job positions when she refused to follow his instructions.

Based on reporting by apsny.ge and newsgeorgia.ru