Open figure viewer
Significance
Rustavi-2 is Georgia's leading TV station for viewers and advertising revenue. Closely associated with the opposition United National Movement (UNM) and labelled a "machine of lies" by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) coalition leadership, Rustavi-2 has been a thorn in the government's side. An unexpected legal challenge from businessman Qibar Khalvashi aimed at regaining ownership is widely seen as a GD-inspired move to hobble Rustavi-2 well before the 2016 parliamentary elections.
Impacts
Having vilified Rustavi-2 on numerous occasions, the government will struggle to assert its neutrality.
The affair highlights palpable stagnation in today's Georgia.
Without clearer EU and US intervention, democratic standards will slide.
Keywords:
Georgia,
RUCIS,
EU,
Russia,
United States,
industry,
politics,
corporate,
government,
judicial,
media,
party,
international relations,
election,
foreign policy,
human rights,
legislation,
opposition,
police
© Oxford Analytica 2020. All rights reserved. This content contains general information about geopolitical, macroeconomic and social developments or (where stated) other matters. It does not contain advice or recommendations that may be relied on. Where links to external websites are provided, this does not indicate that Oxford Analytica or Emerald agree with, endorse or have checked for accuracy the contents of said sites.
2015
You do not currently have access to this content.
