The new founders of Imedi Holdings, with the financial backing of the television company’s loyal friends and sponsors, will establish our own bank within the shortest possible time, in just a matter of months; it will be called Imedi Bank,” reads the official statement issued by Imedi TV.

As the statement makes clear, Imedi will face no difficulties of any kind, including financial ones.

“For Imedi TV, the only measure of worth that matters is the trust of the Georgian people. It is thanks to that trust that we hold the highest ratings in Georgia. Despite the cynical attacks directed against us and the artificial hysteria that has been whipped up, we wish to assure our viewers that Imedi will face no difficulties of any kind, financial or otherwise.

We have never had trouble attracting advertising or investment. We are deeply grateful to the companies and organisations that have expressed their solidarity with us over recent days and confirmed that their financial support for Imedi will continue. Several banks, among them, have indicated their readiness to provide banking services to the channel, notwithstanding the potential difficulties this may entail.

We are fully aware of the risks that await them in their business operations, be it reputational damage, financial pressure, or otherwise, that would draw us all into a further spiral of confrontation. We genuinely do not wish to expose any of them to attack, nor to see them hunted down by those forces who, with their direct involvement, are now for the second time since 2007 assaulting a free media outlet and the freedom of speech itself.

Imedi was born to prevail. We shall continue, in our usual manner and with redoubled energy, to keep the public informed. At the same time, we shall ensure, without any interruption, the full and timely payment of wages, already increased, for every member of staff, along with all attendant tax obligations.

Furthermore, we wish to inform the public that we, the new founders of Imedi Holdings, with the financial support of the channel’s loyal friends and sponsors, will establish our own bank, to be called Imedi Bank, within the shortest possible time, in just a matter of months.

Imedi [hope] lives here!” reads the statement.