Georgia: "Imedi" TV Company sold to media magnate Rupert Murdock

Entrepreneur Badri Patarkatsishvili has sold his controlling stake in the "Imedi" Georgian TV Company to American media magnate Rupert Murdock. The businessman's decision has become known today.

"I've sold my controlling stake in "Imedi" to Rupert Murdock and gave my minority interest into his trustee management," the RIA "Novosti" quotes Mr Patarkatsishvili. "I did it to protect the TV Company from pressure and to enable journalists to give a further fair and truthful coverage of events in Georgia," the businessman has explained.

"In my opinion, the TV Channel journalists will be better protected as a whole, if Americans are the majority shareholders," he has noted. Badri Patarkatsishvili is confident that "Mr Murdock will ensure the freedom of speech and the position of the TV Channel won't change." "Recently, I've frequented with my comments on events in Georgia, and for the journalists of the TV Channel not to feel pressure because of the words of their boss, I've made this decision," he has emphasized.

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" reported about Mr Patarkatsishvili's decision to render financial support to the united Georgian opposition, which caused stormy debates in the political circles of the country.