The ruling Georgian Dream party has linked the inclusion of its honorary chairman, Bidzina Ivanishvili, on the “Press Freedom Predators” list by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to the so-called “Global War Party.” According to parliamentary majority leader Irakli Kirtskhalia, Ivanishvili is effectively being punished for refusing to compromise on peace and national interests.
“This example clearly demonstrates how selective the assessments of international actors operating under the influence of informal oligarchic forces are, and how often these forces place political interests above reality.
This is precisely what we are dealing with regarding the latest speculations by Reporters Without Borders, as it is impossible to assess the media environment in Georgia and ignore the reality—an objective evaluation of which makes it evident that, in terms of both media freedom and democracy, Georgia today is among the world’s leading nations,” the lawmaker stated at a special briefing.
According to Kirtskhalia, Georgia’s media environment today is as pluralistic as possible, since news outlets have the opportunity to voice “the sharpest criticism against the authorities and make any accusations without presenting any evidence.” He also added that most media outlets have turned into “a propaganda tool of the radical opposition,” still refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the government, and have stood “at the forefront of revolutionary processes in Georgia.”
“Taking all of the above into account, it is a matter of pride both for me personally and for every member of the ruling team that freedom of speech, expression, and media freedom in Georgia today are protected like never before!
Against this background, the inclusion of Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili on the ‘Press Freedom Predators’ list is nothing other than retribution, which the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream—a figure of the highest political and broader authority in Georgia—pays at great personal risk for refusing to surrender peace, national interests, and our country’s sovereignty to suit the interests of the ‘Global War Party,’ ensuring that Georgia does not become a sacrificed pawn on the grand political chessboard, as it did in the recent past.”
Irakli Kirtskhalia added that it is of no fundamental significance to the party what assessment is published by “this or that organization acting at the behest of informal oligarchic forces.”
