Journalist Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani removed as anchor of Moambe on Public Broadcaster

Journalist Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani has announced that he will no longer be hosting the 18:00 edition of Moambe on the Georgian Public Broadcaster. He shared the news on social media, posting an official statement regarding his removal.

According to the statement, during a meeting of the broadcaster’s Board of Trustees, Moambe producers expressed their unwillingness to continue working with Ivanov-Chikovani due to his public remarks, including those recently made on air. The journalist shared the decision sent to him:

“In light of this, and to prevent potential discomfort, tension, or deterioration of the working environment among staff, as well as to ensure compliance with the broadcaster’s legal obligations, we inform you that, starting February 4, you will temporarily no longer be assigned as the anchor of Moambe until the situation stabilizes,” the statement reads.

On February 3, during a meeting of the Public Broadcaster’s Board of Trustees, a dispute occurred between the channel’s director, Vasil Maglaperidze, and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani.

On December 1, 2024, when participants of a pro-European rally appeared on the Public Broadcaster’s live broadcast, anchor Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani also joined them on air. At the time, he stated that the editorial policy of the channel “does not meet the demands of society” and named the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Vasil Maglaperidze, as one of the reasons for this.