NON-VIOLENT uprising in November of 2003 led to the resignation of the president of Georgia in what became known as the “Rose Revolution.” One of the star players in this historic event was the gutsy, independent television station Rustavi- 2. As the only broadcaster willing to stand up to the government and inform the public about vote fraud and the protests that followed, Rustavi- 2 helped catalyze the mass mobilization of the population.

"Rustavi-2 is a great example of the powerful and constructive role that independent media can play in society," said John Boit, Internews’ Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia.

"When the political fate of Georgia was hanging by a thread in late 2003, Rustavi-2 used its power masterfully, in effect giving citizens instructions on how to avoid violence and yet still make their voices heard."

For ten years the station has worked fearlessly to expose government corruption and abuses of power, paying a high price for its uncompromising stance. A top journalist and anchor of a political talk show was murdered, a grenade was thrown at the station, and various government agencies harassed the station with tax audits, legal actions, and a long delay in granting a national broadcast license.

Despite these obstacles, Rustavi-2 has become the leading independent TV station in Georgia and the acknowledged model for nongovernmental stations throughout the South Caucasus region.

"In our ten years of existence we have always strived to inspire active engagement by Georgian citizens in the public life of the country," said Erosi Kitsmarishvili, Director General and co-founder of Rustavi-2.

Since starting work in Georgia in 1994, Internews has provided extensive support to Rustavi-2, including training staff in investigative journalism and news reporting skills, and providing management, technical, and legal advice. When the government unsuccessfully tried to shut down the station in 1995 and again in 1996, Internews Georgia organized local and international campaigns in support of the station.

Rustavi-2 has won the admiration and respect of media professionals worldwide. In April 2004, this courageous Georgian television station received the National Association of Broadcasters award for “International Broadcasting Excellence.” And in July of 2004, Rustavi-2 became an associate member of Internews International.