Opinion: campaign against independent media in Georgia signals preparation for worst-case scenario
Journalist on media in Georgia
Lasha Tugushi, head of the Liberal Academy and a journalist, criticised statements made by the ruling Georgian Dream party against online media. He described them as, in a literal sense, a prelude to a public execution and condemned politicians’ involvement in the orchestrated campaign against the press.
According to Tugushi, the parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili’s claim that several online media outlets are merely “microphone NGOs” uses “classic terminology from 1937, artificially transplanted into modern politics.”
The parliament speaker from Georgian Dream, Shalva Papuashvili, has openly attacked independent online media in Georgia, threatening them with criminal prosecution. His attacks followed a propaganda article by the pro-government channel Imedi, which claimed that online media act against the country’s interests and receive large sums of money for doing so.
Lasha Tugushi: “The so-called media that accuse online outlets of working in the interests of foreign intelligence agencies, etc., are selling out and betraying their own country. It is they who have deviated from professional standards, not the media that carry out their work honestly. Of course, criticism can be directed at any living entity, whether a person or media, but this is not criticism, is it?
[On Shalva Papuashvili’s statement that some outlets follow Brussels’ instructions] This statement is highly frivolous, because Brussels is not inherently negative. Brussels is the capital of the European Union and hosts NATO headquarters. We, Georgians, have a goal: to become members of the EU and NATO. This is our historical task.Cynicism toward Brussels as if it is something negative is absurd. It is very wrong when Papuashvili and other politicians participate in a fabricated campaign against media. This is not criticism; it is a dark process aimed at destroying freedom of speech in Georgia and undermining media as a key tool.
The terminology—‘network,’ ‘agents,’ ‘800 people involved,’ ‘foreign intelligence services,’ ‘enemies’—is classic 1937-style language artificially transplanted to Georgia a century later. <…>
We have seen these terms in books. It was one of the darkest periods in our nation’s history, when Georgians were tragic victims [of repression]. If such words are spoken, actions may follow tomorrow.
The campaign currently unfolding against media signals that the authorities are ready to implement the worst-case scenario. This is reflected in their statements, reports, programmes, and long-established methods. Today, it has reached a certain peak, with all cards revealed. If necessary, they will take radical steps.”
Journalist on media in Georgia
