On 25th February 2021, Vakho Sanaia, TV Formula journalist, and his family were attacked by unidentified individuals. Sanaia explained that “the attackers were aggressive towards me as a media representative, first identifying and then provoking me. They uttered derogatory words towards us and towards TV Pirveli and generally towards TV stations in general. I believe this reveals the propaganda aimed at critical media channels, which has had a physical impact on our family”.
We, the members of the Media Advocacy Coalition reckon that the assault on journalist Vakho Sanaia and his family is a deplorable consequence of the ruling party’s aggressive attitude towards the critical media.
We have repeatedly raised concerns about the way the Georgian Dream members talk about media, which creates a harmful atmosphere for media organisations and journalists in Georgia. High-ranking officials’ declaration of journalists as political opponents and the use of hate speech further encourage a part of the already polarised society to verbally attack journalists or interfere with their professional activities.
In addition, crimes against journalists are still uninvestigated. No one has been held responsible for the assault on journalists during the period leading up to the 2020 Parliamentary Elections or on the voting day, despite initiated inquiry. Verbal threats against media representatives have gone unanswered throughout the year. Violence is encouraged through impunity.
– We urge the authorities to respond promptly to the attack on Vakho Sanaia and his family.
– We urge the ruling party to abandon their aggressive stance towards the media.
– We urge international partners to closely monitor instances of verbal or physical attacks on Georgian media personnel.
