Imedi TV owner draws parallel between 2007 raid and current radical opposition efforts

Irakli Rukhadze, the owner of Imedi TV, on Friday drew a sharp parallel between the forced shutdown of the television station on November 7, 2007, and what he claims are current attempts by radicals to fight the TV channel.

Rukhadze stated that the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili and his entourage forcibly took over Imedi TV because they “could not defeat [it] with words”.

He argued the same pattern was unfolding now, asserting that the domestic opposition was unable to counter Imedi TV’s high ratings and public trust.

“In 2007, Imedi TV did not suit Saakashvili and his entourage; they couldn't stand against it with words, they couldn't defeat it with words, so they defeated it with force. The same thing is happening now”, he said.

Rukhadze emphasised that Imedi TV’s popularity and credibility were the real obstacles for the opposition, citing independent polls as evidence of the channel's dominance.

"You are four times bigger on average today than the next television station”, he said, noting that Imedi TV holds over half the market share among full-format channels that include news, entertainment, and politics.

“Half of Georgia receives information from you about what is happening in Georgia, what is happening in the world, and so on”, he told the Imedi TV anchor.

He specifically referenced studies by organisations like NDI and IRI, noting that these American-funded surveys - which the opponents “still don't dare to call fake” - designate Imedi TV as the most trusted television channel.

“Not only do people watch you, but they also trust you”, he concluded.