" As media owners usually determine editorial policy in Georgia, Rustavi 2’s staff fear that Khalvashi will impose a pro-government policy, dealing a major blow to broadcast pluralism in a country where Rustavi 2 is the exception in a broadcast media landscape otherwise dominated by pro-government channels. " - Reporters Without Borders have released a statement regarding Rustavi 2.

“Rustavi 2’s editorial independence and economic survival must be guaranteed,” said Johann Bihr, the head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk. “In the run-up to the 2020 parliamentary elections, it is essential to preserve the Georgian media landscape’s pluralism and to reduce the influence that media owners and political parties exercise over editorial policies,"- states the statement.