Georgian Dream sues three Television companies for 'Home to Europe' commercial
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Georgian Dream is suing three television companies: Formula, Mtavari Arkhi, and TV Pirveli in the Communications Commission for airing a commercial 'Home to Europe' for its 'Pre-elections and political plot. The video content is from 24 June's pro-west and anti-Russian protest. The idea behind was that Georgia's European future should not be affected by the government.
The ruling party believes that the video serves to negatively shape the Georgian dream and its idea, and aims to hinder the election in future elections. At the same time, they believe that it clearly identifies the Georgian dream by referring to the faces of a specific party, and contains the presentation of the ruling party, their leaders, government representatives, and state-political officials in a negative context and serves to form a negative opinion towards them in the society.
"Based on the content of the videos, it is obvious that it is intended for an indefinite circle of people, serves to negatively shape the MPG "Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia" and its idea, and aims to hinder the election in future elections.
The commercial clearly identifies MPG's "Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia" by referring to the faces of a specific party. In addition, the commercial includes the presentation of the ruling party, their leaders, government representatives, and state-political officials in a negative context, based on excerpts taken out of the context of the statements made by them regarding the resolution of the European Parliament, the status of the candidate and the ongoing war in Ukraine, serves to form a negative opinion towards them in the public." The Georgian Dream party's statement reads.
Mtavari Arkhi and Formula responded to the lawsuit from the ruling party. Mtavari Arkhi's lawyer Tamta Muradashvili said that there is no legal basis for the lawsuit, and one of the founders of Formula Misha Mshvildadze told the media that the government is suppressing free speech, as these three TV companies are very critical of the Georgian Dream. Misha Mshvildadze also questioned the timing of this lawsuit, as the commercial aired in June.
"Why did they do it now in August? Because immediate fines during mass rallies could cause a backlash among people. During the rallies, the situation was more sensitive, they couldn't do it right away. That's why they chose August."
The representatives of Mtavari Arkhi, Formula, and TV Pirveli say that they do not expect 'anything good' from the Communications Commission, which is headed by Bekauri, who is, according to them, very loyal to the Georgian Dream. The meeting will be held on August 11, the representatives think that it is very likely that the media companies will be fined a substantial amount.
