Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday sided with a controversial media regulation bill proposed by his ruling Georgian Dream party, asserting that the media was a “significant driver of political division” in the country.
In his press comments, Kobakhidze argued that the media was contributing to the country’s polarisation and that the regulation was necessary to ensure “more objective and ethical reporting”. His comments came in response to growing criticism of the bill, which was introduced earlier this month and aims to impose stricter standards on media outlets.
The PM further claimed the opposition-aligned media groups and political factions had opposed the bill because they were responsible for circulating misinformation. He alleged that these outlets had been “organising the circulation of lies and deceit,” further exacerbating divisions within Georgian society.
“There is a serious issue with the media in our country. It is the main source of polarisation,” Kobakhidze said. “This is a problem that is widely recognised, including by international organisations like the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE).”
The PM also argued that the new legislation was in the “public interest,” aiming to “protect Georgian citizens” from what he described as a media landscape rife with “hatred and falsehoods.”
The proposed amendments to the Law on Broadcasting would introduce more stringent requirements for media objectivity and journalistic integrity. The bill also includes provisions that would limit the ability of Georgian media outlets to accept foreign funding, a move that has drawn concern from critics who argue it could restrict press freedom.
