Statement by Vasil Maghlaperidze, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB), at a Board meeting:

“Today, there is a deliberate campaign to intimidate the Public Broadcaster. This campaign has been ongoing for a long time and is being carried out by organized groups, troll bots, hired individuals, and through targeted threats, including threats against families. There is a continuous attempt to drag the Public Broadcaster into politics under the guise of defending freedom of speech.

If anyone believes that the actions taken against PosTV and Imedi concern only these two television stations, they are mistaken. When did talk of sanctions begin? Who was the first to raise the issue? Some members of the Board of Trustees and others were aware in advance that Tinatin Berdzenishvili and I would be included on a sanctions list.

I would also like to address the ambassadors. Journalists, including those of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, are being directly threatened, and individuals who publish attacks against the Director of the Public Broadcaster on the EU-funded website Mona.gi are being financially encouraged. How many official letters have we sent to the ambassadors, including the EU Ambassador, regarding the persecution of journalists? We have received zero attention. Why? What constitutes pressure on the media, if not this?

I want to tell all employees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster and all citizens that this is not a matter of competition or personal disputes. This is not directed solely against PosTV and Imedi; it is a struggle over Georgia’s independence. There are voices speaking of bringing Georgia to its knees.

The Board of Trustees is leading the broadcaster with dignity in a very difficult situation. As for intimidation, let it be directed at those who are willing to be intimidated.

As Chairman of the Board of Trustees, I personally address the ambassadors: it appears that, with their support or encouragement, persecution and threats are being carried out against employees of the Public Broadcaster. This creates a very tense and difficult environment. That does not mean the Public Broadcaster will fail to defend itself. It will do so within the framework of the law. However, the situation is extremely challenging. At the same time, we are witnessing a departure from the values of what is referred to as Christian civilization, to which both Europe and Georgia belong. It saddens me to see these values being undermined,” Vasil Maghlaperidze said.