Opposition MPs demand the restoration of accreditation necessary for working in the Parliament for all the journalists, who were suspended based on the order of the Speaker of the Parliament.

As opposition MP Khatia Dekanoidze said at the briefing, MPs are public figures and have the obligation to answer all the questions that interest the public.

"I want to explain to the public how dangerous fact happened yesterday and a few days ago in the Parliament of Georgia, a representative body that should really be an example for democracy. In particular, a few days ago, the accreditations of Formula journalist Sofio Gozalishvili, Main Channel journalist Tatia Tsotsanava and TV Pirveli journalist Rusudan Dumbadze were suspended for asking critical questions to the majority MPs. This was a very dangerous decision. At a time when the Parliament of Georgia has practically turned into a closed, impassable area, including for journalists, because the representatives of the majority give comments on a selective basis, I am not even mentioning that they do not go to the critical media, the suspension of accreditation for these journalists by the decision of the Speaker of the Parliament means that there is a selective rule, the rule for restricting free speech, which is very heavy and very dangerous for the democracy and free speech of Georgia. We immediately want to demand that this rule, which was adopted by the Parliament of Georgia, be canceled, and that the accreditation of all these journalists be restored. MPs are public figures and have the obligation to answer all the questions that the public is interested in," said Dekanoidze.

In addition, as the member of Lelo Ana Natsvilishvili pointed out at the briefing, it is unacceptable to censor the media tailored to the interests of one party or to silence them.

For information, according to the order of Shalva Papuashvili, the journalist is obliged to stop the interview if the respondent does not want to answer the questions. Based on the order, the accreditation of the Parliament has been suspended for two journalists and their cameramen for a period of one month.

source: IPN