billionaire Georgian businessman, who is financing growing public opposition to President Mikheil Saakashvili, has turned to Rupert Murdoch, chairman of global media group News Corp, in an effort to protect the editorial independence of his television station.Badri Patarkatsishvili announced on Wednesday that he was selling a controlling stake in Imedi, Georgia’s biggest privately owned broadcaster, to News Corp for an undisclosed sum. The 52-year-old entrepreneur said News Corp, which already holds 49 per cent of Imedi, would increase its stake to 51 per cent and take temporary control of his remaining 49 per cent.

The sight of Mr Murdoch appearing as a defender of editorial independence will surprise his critics who have accused him of interfering in the editorial management of his media companies. But Mr Patarkatsishvili said in an interview with the FT that he had no doubts about Mr Murdoch’s intentions. “I have known Rupert Murdoch for many years … I trust him. He is a man of his word and he will try his best to keep the channel independent.”

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http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0c01a0cc-8810-11dc-9464-0000779fd2ac.html

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