2021 has seen the free press of Georgia face numerous challenges regarding their rights. Individuals and organizations, both within Georgia and abroad, are concerned that 2022 could see further escalations. While the status of the free press has been a serious issue for a while, the past year has seen certain cases become a focal point.
In this time, the government has done little to reaffirm the principles of freedom of the press. Rather, many of the challenges to the free press come from the government of Georgia or through individuals believed to be acting under the influence of the government.
The past year has seen independent media companies shuttered, key figures sentenced to jail time, and many journalists are leaving their field. Many of these journalists have been fired or are choosing to retire from an increasingly hostile environment.
The government has taken a hard line against any dissenting news media or journalists. Furthermore, September 2021 came with the revelation that the government has allegedly been wiretapping dissenting journalists and other key individuals. Leaked audio files included the alleged conversations of journalists. Many targeted individuals came forward to verify the recordings.
There have been many cases of violence and threats against dissenting journalists by certain groups. These groups seem to latch onto rhetoric put forward by both the government and government-aligned media groups. In many of these cases, victims must further deal with the inadequate investigation into the incident and limited prosecution of attackers.
Critical Media Outlets Face Politically Motivated Cases
It appears that much of the government’s effort in curbing dissenting journalism has been in the use of politically motivated cases against critical media outlets. There have been many notable cases of key individuals facing criminal charges. Those charged allege this to be purely political.
In some cases where these tactics have succeeded, the media outlets have gone on to become the property of government-aligned studios or individuals. In doing so, the government is able to both mitigate dissent and accrue media resources at the same time.
These three cases show that the government has employed politically motivated cases against critical media outlets but are far from the only examples.
Thank you for the quick turnaround. While the article looks great, there was an oversite on my part and I’m hoping you can add a link in the third paragraph with the anchor:
independent media companies shuttered
David Kezerashvili Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison
September 7th, 2021, saw the sentencing in absentia of David Kezerashvili to 10 years in prison for alleged embezzlement during his time as the Georgian Minister of Defense. Later the sentence was reduced to 5 years. David is the founder and majority shareholder of Formula TV, a media outlet notably critical of the current government.
Kezerashvili has seen many attempts at prosecution against him in the past, but this is the first case of sentencing. This ruling saw the overturning of a 2017 acquittal from the Court of Appeals. Despite the sentencing, Kezerashvili continues to run Formula TV.
Kezerashvili currently resides outside of Georgia, but the true harm and intention of the sentencing could be to smear the reputation of both Kezerashvili and Formula TV.
Ongoing Investigation Against Avtandil Tsereteli
Charges placed against Avtandil Tsereteli in 2019 are still part of an ongoing investigation. The alleged money laundering charges are against the father of the founder of TV Pirveli. This independent TV station has long been a target for the government.
Vakhtang Tsereteli, the founder of TV Pirveli, believes that the charges of his father are part of ongoing efforts to shut down TV Pirveli. He claims to have received letters from government figures demanding a change in the critical nature of the channel’s content.
Action Against Multiple Figures at Mtavari Arkhi
Mtavari Arkhi is a significant independent TV company that has been described as pro-opposition by the current government. One shareholder, Giorgi Rurua, has already faced prison on allegedly politically motivated charges. In July 2019, he was sentenced to four years in prison but was released in April of 2020 as part of an EU-brokered deal that the ruling party has since abandoned.
The Director of Mtavari Arkhi TV, Nika Gvaramia, is currently the subject of an ongoing trial. Gvaramia’s lawyer has stated that the case is politically motivated. The trial is based on accusations that Gvaramia has abused his power as the Director of Mtavari Arkhi TV.
The Georgian Media Landscape Moving Into 2022
The precedents that have been set over the past several years for how the government can handle critical media have left independent journalists and media outlets on an unsure footing for 2022. While many remain hopeful that they will be able to retain and recover their rights to a free press, the overbearing use of government power against both organizations and individuals shows little sign of slowing.
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