Anti-hate speech unit could have prevented opposition leader Gvaramia’s ratings decline, Adjara leader

Chairman of the Supreme Council of Adjara Tsotne Ananidze has welcomed the government’s decision to establish a unit tasked with monitoring hate speech, insulting campaigns and aggressive communication.

In comments posted on social media on Wednesday, Ananidze argued that if such a body had been created earlier, opposition politician Nika Gvaramia would not have experienced what he described as a sharp decline in public support.

“If this service had been created earlier, Gvaramia’s ratings would not be at rock bottom today,” Ananidze wrote.

He claimed one of the main reasons for the opposition figure’s declining popularity was “constant foul language”, including remarks he described as insulting towards Georgian wine.

Ananidze said wine represented “centuries-old culture and sacred values” for Georgians.

The comments come after Georgian authorities announced plans to create a specialised Interior Ministry division responsible for monitoring hate speech and initiating legal responses to offensive and aggressive public communication.