**Georgia’s Media Freedom Under Threat**
The Georgian media landscape is facing a severe blow as TV channels critical of the government are being sued by Ivanishvili’s Dream, a company linked to the country’s billionaire Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Eka Gigauri, a prominent figure in Georgia’s civil society, has spoken out against this move, highlighting its implications for media freedom and public access to information.
**The Suing of Critical TV Channels**
Ivanishvili’s Dream has taken legal action against several TV channels that have been critical of the government. The suits are an attempt to silence these outlets and prevent them from reporting on issues that might be uncomfortable for the ruling party. Gigauri, in her statement, notes that this move is a clear attempt to limit public access to information and stifle criticism.
**The True Meaning of “Impartiality”**
Gigauri points out that the government’s stance on impartiality is actually a euphemism for silence. In other words, rather than allowing media outlets to report on all sides of an issue, the government wants them to remain neutral – and therefore silent – when it comes to issues that might be critical of its policies.
**The Consequences for Media Freedom**
This development has serious implications for media freedom in Georgia. By suing TV channels that are critical of the government, Ivanishvili’s Dream is sending a chilling message to other media outlets: speak out against us and you will face consequences. This can only lead to a further erosion of media freedom, making it more difficult for the public to access accurate information about what is happening in their country.
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