The Media Advocacy Coalition asserts that since the adoption the “Russian Law”, the ruling Georgian Dream Party has intensified its pressure on independent media, and for this it uses its influence over the Communications Commission and court.
Media Coalition deems that the actions of the Communication Commission, and the drafting of a protocol for violations against opposition television stations, are an expression of Georgian Dream’s tendency to oppress state institutions. The issue is the use of disturbing images depicting a war in Ukraine that is still ongoing in the election advertisements of the ruling party, and the refusal by television stations to broadcast these ads.
“Recent actions of the Communications Commission reveal a disturbing trend of hijacking government institutions. The regulator, based on a complaint from Georgian Dream, issued a protocol of violation to Mtavari Arakhi TV Pirveli, and Formula TV due to the nonpublication of unethical ads using the tragedy of Ukrainian people.
“In its resolution, the European Union condemned the use by Georgian Dream of photos from the war in Ukraine, which was intended to’manipulate opinions, spread disinformation, and pro-Russian anti-Ukrainian feelings’ before the election. These punitive actions not only undermine the independent of the media but also reinforce a narrative that suits the ruling party agenda,” the media alliance said in a press release.
“On the basis of Edison Research research, the Regulatory Commission recognized the TV company Formula in the same period as a law violator and drafted a protocol for granting a qualified election to the opposition party Gakharia for Georgia’. This decision is a further proof of bias systemic, which threatens the political pluralism, and is an effort to punish the media prior to the elections. The society is deprived from different points of views, which limits the ability to compare and familiarize with the messages of political parties.
In the statement, the coalition also claims that the lack of independent of the court exacerbates the problems, as the court shares in the unjustified decisions made by the Communications Commission, and fines critical media. The coalition says that this is an attempt to silence critical coverage and dissenting views.
“Notably the use of Strategic Litigation Against Public Involvement(SLAPP) lawsuits remain problematic.”
Media coalition reports that “On October 11, Tbilisi City Court ruled that TV Pirveli, and its journalist Sofiko Nyauri must pay 10,000 GEL in relation to the lawsuit Alexander Chikaidze – the former Minister of Internal Affairs – related to the ruling parties,”
The Coalition cites incidents involving threats and administrative decisions as examples of threats that independent and critical journalists face. Sulkhan Meskhidze, the director of Adjara Times was targeted with insulting and threatening messages. The journalist informed the public after the official opening of the new Batumi bypass road by Dream officials that the road was not completed and is blocked with concrete slabs.
“Such harassment reflects Georgian Dream’s hostile climate towards media professionals. It prevents the search of truth and undermines the public trust in media. This hostile environment is not only a threat to journalists but also reduces public access to quality information, alienating citizens further from the democratic process,” writes media coalition.
Georgian Dream, a group that advocates peace, has placed election banners on the streets of Tbilisi a month before the 26th October parliamentary elections. On one side, against a gray backdrop, are images of churches, theaters, hospitals, and cities in Ukraine that were destroyed by Russian attacks. On the other, are images of colorful buildings and cities of Georgia. The ruling party released a video with the same content.
Mtavari Arkhi TV-Pirveli, Formula and TV-Pirveli published a statement stating that they will not air the pre-election videos and banners of Georgian Dream despite the threats and demands of the ruling party. In response, pro-government TV companies Imedi and POS TV refused to air election advertisements from the opposition parties.
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