TV Imedi suspends airing of opposition UNM-related campaign ads

Television network TV Imedi has announced that it will no longer air campaign advertisements from political parties associated with the opposition United National Movement (UNM) “until media imbalances, created by opposition-affiliated outlets, are resolved.” The network’s statement cited factors such as unequal airtime and advertising practices, which they argue distort the competitive electoral environment.

“As is well-known, media outlets such as Mtavari, TV Pirveli, and Formula continue to grossly violate electoral legislation. They refuse to broadcast legally compliant campaign ads using fabricated excuses. The law obligates them to air these ads, a fact confirmed by the Communications Commission and court decisions. These channels have even claimed that an anti-war ad is, in fact, war propaganda,” the statement read.

TV Imedi also referred to comments by EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pavel Herczynski, who said, “It is up to free media to decide what actions they take.”

The statement reads that despite TV Imedi’s editorial stance against the return of the UNM to power, which they argue would lead to national catastrophe, the network emphasized that this position has not influenced their previous decisions to air campaign ads from the UNM. They pointed out that all broadcasters are responsible for creating a non-discriminatory and competitive electoral environment, which is key to democratic elections.

“Until the imbalance caused by media outlets aligned with the UNM is corrected—taking into account factors like ratings, missed ad hours, and other objective criteria—and a competitive electoral environment is restored, we will not air campaign ads from parties that represent the criminal legacy of the previous government,” the statement concluded.