We urge all public figures to cease from provoking animosity in society and tarnishing the reputation of the media

24 July 2021

On the 23rd of July 2021, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili made remarks about journalists, branding them as “bullies” and “party activists”. Despite numerous calls from the civil society, the Prime Minister’s comments have only served to fuel aggression towards the media representatives.

Yesterday, on 22 July 2021, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Culture Minister of Georgia, Thea Tsulukiani, snatched the microphone from Mtavari Arkhi TV journalist and prevented her from working. Afterwards, the Minister declined to return the television’s property. The Minister’s behaviour displays indications of criminal offence. An inquiry needs to be conducted into unlawful interference with journalistic activities and the unauthorized taking of someone else’s property.

The Public Relations Service of the Georgian Patriarchate released a statement yesterday, rebuking media and practically requesting the clergy to cease contact with media sources with critical editorial policies. The Patriarchate’s statement has the same tone as the ruling team’s public statements, which raises the risk of media violence escalating.

The members of the Media Advocacy Coalition believe this is a coordinated assault on the media. This is concerning because the government is not taking efforts to safeguard journalists and cameramen. In addition, they label requests to honour the rights of journalists as “disinformation” and “slander”. To make matters worse, from the 5th to the 6th of July, those who perpetrated the largest-ever attacks on the media were not arrested.

We anticipate that as the Government and related forces become more aggressive towards the media, there will be a rise in attacks on journalists and cameramen.

· We urge the authorities to cease promoting violence against journalists, publicly distance themselves from the use of violence against journalists and implement measures to establish a peaceful and secure environment.

· We appeal to the law enforcement to investigate Thea Tsulukiani’s confiscation of Mtavari Arkhi TV’s property and illegal interference with journalistic activities.

· We ask all public figures, including the Georgian Patriarchate, to cease inciting hostility in the society and discrediting the media.

Signatory organisations:

· Institute for Development of Freedom of Information – IDFI

· Liberal Academy Tbilisi

· The Media Club

· Media Development Foundation

· Media Rights

· TV Net

· Transparency International – Georgia

· International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy – ISFED

· The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association – GYLA

· The Georgian Democratic Initiative – GDI