We did it.
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Georgia's civil society, pro-European democratic parties and movements of Georgia, along with the Propaganda Watch team have asked for the Western support in defeating propaganda channels in Georgia. We made an argument that these channels weren't simply engaging in disinformation campaigns - they were tools of Russian hybrid war in Georgia, often acting in sync with Russian governmental channels. For months, we analyzed and translated more than 500 news cards produced by these channels. Our AI-human tool was seen by embassies, state departments, and journalists.
Today, two of three propaganda channels have been sanctioned by the UK. Below, we are reporting live on how the main propaganda channel, Imedi TV, is losing its influence as we speak.
The Fall of Imedi
Oops, Imedi Web is unavailable
Less than 48 hours after the sanctions, the channel's webpage appears to be down for hours.
105 years after Soviet occupation, Georgian civil society celebrates winning a tactical battle
After historically tragic events of the Soviet occupation of Georgia on February 25, 1921, Georgia's resistance movement celebrates a tactical victory. The UK has imposed asset freeze, trust services sanctions, director disqualification sanction on the two propaganda channels, meaning that all assets or properties held by the companies in the UK will be frozen, it will become illegal for UK citizens to help create or manage trusts for the companies, and the individuals running the companies will be barred from running any other UK-based company.
But not everybody is jubilant. Representatives of Imedi TV have sent the UK Embassy in Tbilisi a strongly-worded letter.
GD Regime says companies should still collaborate with Imedi
Georgian Dream Regime representative, Irakli Kobakhidze, says that "all state and non-state companies should continue cooperating with the channels", despite potential sanction effects. Two biggest banks of Georgia are especially vulnerable to these effects, as they are listed on London Stock Exchange and are hence must enforce the UK law.
Board members resigning from Imedi TV
5 out of 4 members of the board, including Irakli Rukhadze, have now resigned. Only one member of the board - Maka Lomidze remains on the board. Lomidze is also the acting director at TV Imedi.
Irakli Rukhadze still listed as a member of the TV Imedi board of directors
Even though Irakli Rukhadze, the owner of TV Imedi has sold TV Imedi to his colleagues for a symbolic price of approximately $300, he still appeared on the board of directors of Imedi TV.
TV Imedi and PostTV sanctioned.
The UK government has introduced biggest-to-date sanction package against Russia on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The two channels are now under the UK sanctions for engaging in hybrid warfare against Ukraine to Russia's benefit.
527 total posts analyzed across all channels