Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated that the fundamental right to media freedom will be fully protected at both Imedi TV and POSTV, following the United Kingdom’s decision to impose sanctions on the two broadcasters.
Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze said the government takes “full responsibility” for ensuring that no journalist working at either television company will face restrictions or disadvantages as a result of the sanctions.
“The fundamental right to media freedom will be protected both at Imedi TV and POSTV. We take full responsibility for this. No journalist will be placed in a worse position in any television company. On the contrary, they will have full opportunity to exercise their fundamental right to media freedom and provide information to the public,” the Prime Minister said.
Kobakhidze described the sanctions as a formal violation of media freedom but argued that, in practical terms, they would have no tangible impact on the broadcasters’ operations in Georgia.
“On paper, this represents a violation of the fundamental right to media freedom, but in practice it will have no effect,” he stated.
The Prime Minister criticized what he described as a “tragic situation” within European and British bureaucracy, arguing that the decision reflects a broader decline in the protection of basic human rights principles.
He also drew parallels with events in 2007, when Imedi TV was forcibly shut down under the previous United National Movement government. Kobakhidze said that, unlike in 2007, the current situation would not result in effective restrictions on the broadcaster.
“Until 2012, fundamental human rights, including media freedom, were violated in this country, and a complete monopoly was formed. Since 2012, our government has ensured the protection of media freedom, and we remain responsible for safeguarding this right for every journalist,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the government bears ultimate responsibility for protecting fundamental human rights, including media freedom, and pledged that no external decision would undermine those protections within Georgia.
The statement follows the UK government’s announcement of sanctions against Imedi TV and POSTV. According to the UK authorities, the two broadcasters were sanctioned for allegedly being involved in the spread of Russian disinformation.
The measures imposed by the UK include asset freezes, restrictions on financial asset management services, and the disqualification of directors. The sanctions document states that the outlets have deliberately disseminated misleading information about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to audiences primarily in Georgia.
