New chief for Ukrainian state TV

The Ukrainian government has named Zurab Alasania as the new director-general of state broadcaster the National Television Company of Ukraine (NTU).

Alasania, originally from Kharkiv, worked as a current affairs journalist before co-founding the Objective Media Group in 2000. He served as director of the Kharkiv Regional State Television and Radio Company between 2002-10, and co-founded internet TV channel Hromadske.tv in 2013.

Alasania’s appointment follows the controversial departure of Oleksandr Panteleymonov, who was assaulted and made to sign a resignation letter by nationalist parliamentary deputies. The incident, which was filmed by the perpetrators, was condemned by leading politicians including Vitali Klitschko.