The TV companies operating in Georgia—"Mtavari Arkhi," "Formula," and "TV-Pirveli"—have issued a joint statement asserting that, despite the demands and threats from the ruling party, they will not broadcast pre-election banners and videos from "Georgian Dream" that feature footage of Ukrainians who were destroyed by the occupying Russians.
"Continuing to exploit the tragedy of the Ukrainian people for its own political campaign, Georgian Dream is now demanding that TV channels broadcast the immoral banners displayed on billboards across the streets. The Ivanishvili-controlled government is putting us in a dilemma—either we broadcast these videos or face heavy fines, which could lead to the suspension of our channels' operations.
Despite the heavy burden of endless fines imposed by the authorities on critical channels, we have no intention of supporting, even indirectly, the Russian propaganda of the Georgian Dream or the mockery of the Ukrainian people. We fully share the EU Ambassador's assessment that this campaign is "outrageous, disgraceful, and appalling," and, therefore, we refuse to broadcast these videos.
We call on the international community, Western diplomatic missions, civil organisations and the Public Defender to respond appropriately to the actions of the Georgian Dream and to support independent channels in this crucial issue that transcends political tastes and is a matter of national dignity" - reads the statement.
One month before the parliamentary elections on October 26, the ruling party's election banners appeared on the streets of Tbilisi. One side of the banners features a gray background with images of Ukrainian cities, churches, hospitals, and theaters that have been destroyed by Russian attacks, while the other side displays vibrant views of various cities and buildings in Georgia. Concurrently, the ruling party released a video with similar content. These banners are part of the "Georgian Dream" election rhetoric, which suggests that "Georgian society must choose between war and peace."
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