Society

Zaza Okuashvili has been decorated with Golden Feather Award

The founder of Iberia TV Company, prominent businessman Zaza Okuashvili has been awarded the Golden Feather 2016.

The International Foundation of Journalists has held its 15th annual award ceremony, where Zaza Okuashvili was decorated with the Golden Feather Award for his outstanding contribution to the struggle for the freedom of media.

It happened for the first time through the 15 year history of the Golden Feather Award Ceremony, when the chairperson of the Golden Feather jury, famous journalist Nugzar Rukhadze handed over this prestigious journalistic prize to a businessman.

“This award is deeply symbolic. The founder of the Golden Feather, Mrs. Eter Jishkariani told me that Zaza Okuashvili was the person, who should be decorated with the Golden Feather. You should be praised, because you did not waver, you felt no scare and most importantly, you demonstrated your bravery and did not retreat, you saved the people and you gave jobs to them. Men like you, have been building countries like America and others.
Many thanks for showing you strength that will be bringing benefit to others”, - Nugzar Rukhadze addressed Mr. Okuashvili.

In his turn, the award winner businessman thanked the organizers, sponsors and the jury for promoting journalists.

“Thank you all for attending this ceremony. Thanks to the organizers, the jury, sponsors for giving us an opportunity to jointly support journalists, journalism and the free speech. They must be promoted, because in all times, in every situation, they have been telling and guarding the truth. This is not only my prize, this is ours; it belongs to all of us, our people, our country.

Our people, with their choice and will, have brought the times, when we are awarding a television and journalism not for praising us, but for criticizing us; this is the media, which lights the right way. Now and ever, Iberia will always be in the service of our people and country. Thank you, - Zaza Okuashvili stated and added with a smile, – Now we have wings; now we’ll fly higher and see more than before”.

The International Foundation of Journalists, Golden Feather Award ceremony was hosted by the Zurab Tsereteli Museum of Modern Art. Other journalists, who were decorated with the Golden Feather 2016, were Inga Grigolia, Zaza Shengelia, Giorgi Khaburdzania, Demna Japaridze, Zviad Tkhelidze, Keti Khatiashvili, Ketevan Gurjistani, Nino Sukhishvili, Levan Chkhaidze, Salome Dadunashvili, Zaza Shatirishvili, Goderdzi Sharashia.

The International Foundation of Journalists Golden Feather has been founded in 2003 by the prominent Georgian journalist, Eter Jishkariani; since 2012, Tamar Pkhakadze has been occupying the position of its President.

The Golden Feather is the honorary award, which goes to the representatives of media and other celebrities annually.