Imedi TV owner: TV channel is a “bone in the throat” for opposition UNM and other groups

Irakli Rukhadze, the owner of the Georgian television channel Imedi TV, on Friday said that the TV station was a major irritant for several political groups, asserting that it is “a bone in the throat” for the opposition United National Movement party in particular.

“This television is a bone in the throat for certain groups, and in every scenario, it’s a bone in the throat for the United National Movement because our stated strategy is that these people do not return to power, and we are executing this fantastically well”, Rukhadze said.

He further suggested that similar resentment toward Imedi TV might extend beyond the domestic opposition.

“The opposition and those clinging to the opposition, of course, find us a bone in their throat, but we are also a bone in the throat of those who may have other objectives regarding Georgia”, he continued.

He then reflected on the year 2022, claiming Georgia narrowly avoided a major crisis.

“For example, I am absolutely convinced that Georgia survived a very great danger in 2022, when the then world power - which has since changed, at least I think it has changed in America, not yet in Europe because Ukraine was at war - would have gladly seen Georgia in the same situation, and there was very great pressure on us", Rukhadze asserted.

He connected this situation to subsequent political shifts, including the controversial ban on USAID.

“Many things followed these changes - it wasn't for nothing that USAID was banned - that organisation and the organisations above it were doing many things, not just here”, Rukhadze continued.

He added that he possesses private information about the immense pressure faced by the Georgian Government and the country.

“Along with our Government, Imedi TV was one of the defenders to maintain stability in Georgia, and of course, many people did not like this. And that is why many people think that if there is no Imedi TV, they will probably have a better world”, he concluded with a touch of irony.