Georgian Parliament Speaker: Brussels and foreign funding killing free media in Georgia
Shalva Papuashvili
Photo: Parliament of Georgia
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday sharply criticised a draft report supported by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, which includes a proposal to sanction three Georgian television channels.
Papuashvili argued that Brussels and foreign funding are undermining independent media in Georgia, claiming that such influence is being used to advance propaganda rather than protect media freedom.
He described the situation as deeply cynical, saying it is “the greatest cynicism” when those he called “destroyers of media” present themselves as defenders of press freedom.
According to him, the European Parliament is positioning itself as a successor to the Soviet-era “People’s Congress”, suggesting that some of its members come from what he described as the former Soviet nomenklatura and elite.
He further drew a parallel between past Soviet decisions against Georgia and what he characterised as hostile actions by the European Parliament today.
Papuashvili also criticised the author of the draft report, Lithuanian MEP Rasa Juknevičienė, accusing her of making hostile statements toward the Georgian people. He noted the timing of the report ahead of May 9, the date marking Victory Day over fascism, calling it symbolic in his criticism.
The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has endorsed the draft report and related amendments. The document is expected to be placed on the agenda of the plenary session scheduled for May 18–21. Juknevičienė has argued that Georgia is not meeting candidate country criteria and has called for targeted personal sanctions, as well as measures concerning three independent television broadcasters
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