Georgian Justice Minister slams calls to sanction Georgian TV channels as “attack on freedom of speech”

Georgian justice minister Paata Salia on Thursday described the report by MEP Rasa Juknevičienė, which includes calls for sanctions against three independent television channels, as “an attack on freedom of speech”.

In his remarks, Salia noted that the allegations contained in the report are groundless and lack factual evidence.

“They claim these television channels are propaganda outlets. When a politician makes such statements, there must be factual circumstances behind them. First of all, this is clearly an attack on freedom of speech and nothing else. Let them name specific facts. I have personally verified that no television channel in Georgia has reported on the war in Ukraine or any other global event differently from how it has been covered by international media. Let them point to a case where the Russian army captured a city and Imedi or Rustavi 2 TV channels reported something that did not correspond to reality”, he said.

“All military developments, facts, meetings, conferences, and summits taking place around the world are covered by these television channels in the same manner as by broadcasters worldwide. Where exactly is the propaganda here? If we are talking about television channels giving airtime to people who wish to express their opinions - opinions that may not align with what some people like or dislike - then this becomes a question of restricting freedom of speech”, the minister continued.

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.