Georgian PM says UK sanctions on Georgian TV channels “gross violation of media freedom”

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday criticised the United Kingdom’s decision to impose sanctions on Georgian television companies Imedi TV and POSTV, calling the move a “gross violation of the fundamental right to media freedom” and an “unreasonable step” by the British authorities.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Kobakhidze noted that the direct aim of the decision was to undermine media freedom.

“Media was liberated after 2012 and media pluralism was established. This is an achievement that we value greatly and must continue to protect in the future. Unfortunately, in this case, external forces decided to intervene directly in [the country’s] media environment. This represents not only a gross violation of the fundamental right to media freedom, but also a very unreasonable step taken by the British authorities”, he said.

Kobakhidze further argued that the decision had narrow political motives and was aimed at weakening media pluralism.

“The goal was, of course, political - a narrow political objective. The direct aim was, in fact, to undermine media freedom and create a better environment for spreading falsehoods. That was the real objective, which is very clearly evident. The same objective existed in 2007 during the raid on Imedi TV - media pluralism had to be suppressed, and under such conditions there would be greater space for falsehoods”, the prime minister concluded.