A democratic backslide in Georgia

What happened

For more than a month now, Georgia has been locked in a protracted political crisis, with the streets of many cities seized by protests over the disputed outcome of October’s elections and moves to suspend negotiations to join the European Union.

The Caucasus state has seen political turmoil and repeated attacks on opposition figures, journalists and protesters since disputed elections in late October.

Read more: 1TV calls for independence to be respected | The PMA Briefing

There have been daily protests since Georgian Dream’s leaders announced in November that they were freezing the issue of opening talks on joining the European Union.

Georgian Dream has been accused by the EU and US of democratic backsliding, and opposition groups have accused the party and its billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili of pursuing Russia’s interests, while most Georgians want to join the EU.

In December, the former pro-footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as president. But the pro-EU former president, Salome Zourabichvili, who has become something of a champion for the protesters, said she would not step down.

The crackdown has seen a dramatic erosion of press freedom, with journalists facing violence, threats, and arbitrary detention, according to many media freedom organisations.

Reaction

The UK’s ambassador to Georgia said developments in recent days had been “extremely worrying”.

“Renewed violence against opposition politicians and arbitrary detention of journalists and protesters is unacceptable,” Gareth Ward said.

Pressure has also been brought upon the public broadcaster, 1TV. In mid-December, the broadcaster said it “found itself in a difficult situation” and was being asked “to deny its fundamental essence, violate the law, and turn into a party.”

On 29 December, protesters blockaded its headquarters on 29 December, demanding the company’s management step down. They said the network’s coverage had been sympathetic to the new government of the Georgian Dream party, something it denied.

In an unattributed statement last week, 1TV named Salome Zurabishvili specifically, and accused her of “showing particular aggression towards the Public Broadcaster, who deliberately spreads disinformation in order to discredit the channel, including in such an important space as, for example, the European Parliament.”

It said it was concerned about “systematic attacks” and interference in its editorial independence amid what it called a “tense” political environment.

“The Public Broadcaster belongs to the entire society; no political or public group has the right to monopolize it or close it to others,” it read.

PMA’s view

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, an independent press has been steadily growing in Georgia, playing an active part in underpinning its developing democracy. Attacks on journalists and the general erosion of press freedom in Georgia are therefore deeply concerning and a significant step backwards.

During times like these, independent and impartial journalism is vital, with the presence of an independent public broadcaster being essential in the provision of impartial news and information to all citizens. Political favouritism and control goes against the core values of public media such as fairness, independence and due impartiality.

Attempts at editorial interference or censorship is a drastic misstep with long lasting repercussions for freedom of the press and the integrity of democracy.