Imedi TV owner highlights TV company’s raison d'être as not to allow United National Movement party, its affiliates to return to power
Irakli Rukhadze
Photo: IMEDI TV
Irakli Rukhadze, the owner of Imedi TV company, on Monday highlighted the TV company’s raison d'être as not to allow the opposition United National Movement party and its affiliates to return to power.
In his remarks following a meeting with the visiting delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Rukhadze noted that many opposition-leaning TV stations were claiming that the domestic transparency law would put an end to their functioning, though the reality showed quite a different picture, with all opposition media continuing their activities.
“I'm so glad you're all here. I remember at the previous similar meeting, representatives of many TV channels claimed that with the effective transparency law they would have to stop their activities. Of course, I asked why, but they could not explain it to me. I told them what was happening [during the former United National Movement Government], what kind of media environment we had [in the country], what happened to Imedi TV in 2007. I also told them that in this situation I always prove to myself that Imedi TV exists to ensure that the United National Movement [party] and its affiliates - no matter in which parties they are scattered - never return to power. This is the mission that I have. That’s why Imedi TV exists, a non-profitable, non-business Imedi TV”, Rukhadze told local media.
Rukhadze further added that Imedi TV represented foreign citizens as he himself was a US citizen, while his partners were English and American citizens.
“Therefore, if we give more than 20 percent [of funds to the TV company], that’s foreign money, [and] then we have to register [in the registry under the transparency law]. It's just not necessary yet, as the lawyers tell me. There is no problem with registration”, he continued.
Rukhadze also recalled the UNM Government crackdown on Imedi TV in 2007 when the TV company was raided by the police and suspended broadcasting through a court decision.
“In order not to have this situation back, that's why Imedi TV exists nowadays, so that the people who did this to us and left us with absolutely no differing opinions for so many years, do not come back. That is why Imedi TV exists”, he concluded.
All News
02 March 2026, 22:17
Politics
Former British diplomat Ian Proud criticises UK sanctions on Georgian broadcasters
Former British diplomat and global crisis management expert Ian Proud on Monday said reasons for the United Kingdom’s decision to sanction Imedi TV were incomprehensible.
02 March 2026, 21:27
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker says preventing nuclear deployment, Hezbollah threats “of paramount importance”
Gia Volski, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the first vice speaker of the Parliament, on Monday addressed the country's current political climate and regional security, taking a firm stance against the opposition's rhetoric and accusing them of wishing for instability while misrepresenting the government's foreign policy.
02 March 2026, 21:15
Politics
Government of Georgia announces special flights for citizens stranded in the Middle East
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia on Monday announced that the Georgian government would organise special flights for Georgian citizens who are unable to return home in a timely manner due to disruptions caused by the current situation in the Middle East.
02 March 2026, 16:50
Politics
Georgian Deputy Justice Minister: UK decision against Georgian broadcasters falls outside legal framework
Beka Dzamashvili, the deputy minister of justice of Georgia, on Monday criticised the United Kingdom over what he described as an attack on free media, calling the decision to sanction Georgian broadcasters legally unfounded and outside the framework of human rights standards.
02 March 2026, 16:19
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: inciting extremism should be punishable like organising a coup
Archil Gorduladze, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s legal affairs committee, on Monday said the proposed amendments to the grant law would apply to individuals and organisations seeking to bring agents to power in Georgia through foreign influence.
02 March 2026, 12:36
Politics
Georgian Government watches Middle East conflict with “deep concern”, highlights risk to all countries
The Georgian government on Monday said it was monitoring the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East with deep concern, as they threaten the security and prosperity of every country in the region without exception.
02 March 2026, 12:01
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker says Ukraine caught in power struggle between global actors
The war in Ukraine is a confrontation between global powers, with Ukraine serving only as the battlefield, the Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Sunday in an exclusive interview with Imedi TV.
02 March 2026, 11:59
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker on Europe’s shifted rhetoric toward Russia: we have experienced this ourselves
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday assessed what he described as a shift in rhetoric by European bureaucrats and leaders toward Russia in an exclusive interview with Imedi TV.
02 March 2026, 11:25
Politics
Georgian Foreign Minister: without peace, everything else becomes secondary
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Sunday highlighted the complex landscape of modern global politics, emphasising that for a nation in Georgia's geographic position, challenges are spread across all sides.
02 March 2026, 10:57
Foreign policy
Georgian PM holds phone talks with UAE President, expresses solidarity amid regional developments
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday held a telephone conversation with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan amid recent regional developments, expressing solidarity and support for peace efforts in the region.
01 March 2026, 15:26
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Georgia ready to reset relations with US, bilateral meetings planned in Washington
Mariam Lashkhi, the chair of the Georgian Parliament's education, science, and youth affairs Committee, on Sunday said Georgia would participate as a full-fledged member in the first forum of the Alliance of Sovereign Nations in the United States, noting that the central idea of the forum was to emphasise the principle that sovereign countries should determine their own future independently.
01 March 2026, 15:06
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Georgian delegation to discuss restoring strategic partnership during US visit
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the chair of the foreign relations committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Sunday said that the Georgian delegation’s visit to the United States would focus on advancing Georgian-American relations, including the declared goal of restoring the strategic partnership with the US.
01 March 2026, 15:05
Politics
Six days of silence: UK Embassy mute following attack on independent media in Georgia
For the sixth consecutive day, the British Embassy in Georgia has remained silent regarding the attacks and the unsubstantiated and absurd accusations leveled against independent media outlets.
28 February 2026, 14:02
Politics
Georgian Parliament official describes UK sanctions on Imedi TV, POSTV as “attack on free media”
Levan Makhashvili, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European integration committee, on Saturday described the United Kingdom’s decision to sanction Imedi TV and POSTV as “an attack on free media”, adding that some critics of the broadcasters “could not even hide their tears of joy”.
28 February 2026, 12:30
Politics
Georgian PM says UK targeting Georgian broadcasters aimed at disrupting debate process in Georgia
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said the United Kingdom’s sanctions against Imedi TV and POSTV must be viewed as an attempt to sabotage the ongoing process of public and political debates on Georgian television.
27 February 2026, 20:52
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party: UK imposed sanctions against two leading Georgian broadcasters, which is an unprecedented attack on media freedom
The political council of the ruling Georgian Dream party on Friday condemned the United Kingdom’s decision to impose sanctions on Imedi TV and POSTV as an unprecedented and unjust attack on free Georgian media.
27 February 2026, 20:50
Politics
Georgian PM calls on commercial entities to cooperate with UK-sanctioned TV channels, assures no risk
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze has called on all commercial entities to continue cooperating with two television companies recently sanctioned by the UK government, assuring that no Georgian company will face any risks.
27 February 2026, 16:44
Politics
Georgian Prime Minister criticises Europe and Britain over ongoing Russia trade and double standards toward Georgia
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that Europe, including the United Kingdom, has not halted trade with Russia, and that this trade significantly funds Russia’s state budget, which in turn supports the war in Ukraine.
27 February 2026, 15:47
Politics
Georgian Prime Minister questions US distance on Georgia amid shared values
Following a meeting of the political council of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze described the current distanced position of the United States toward Georgia as “illogical” and raising numerous questions.
27 February 2026, 15:38
Politics
Georgian PM: United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on two leading Georgian broadcasters, marking unprecedented example of open attack on free media
Commenting on the recent sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on two leading Georgian broadcasters, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the move represents an unprecedented attack on free media.