Affiliated media: Rustavi 2, TV channel

Incident date: May 25, 2018

Attack type:

• Defamation, spreading libel about a media worker or media outlet

Who attacked: Non-authorities

Source: Georgia Today

Location: Georgia, Tbilisi

Additional information:

The Georgian Orthodox Church released a statement slamming the most opposition-minded television station in Georgia, Rustavi 2 for “insulting Christianity and making provocative programs.” The Patriarchate stated that anti-Church forces have started a new wave of campaigns against the Georgian Orthodox Church, and claimed that Rustavi 2 is the most active among them. “We urge our clergy to stop any relationships with Rustavi 2, not to give interviews and not to take part in its programs,” the statement reads. “We also call on the government to take effective and quick steps to create legal mechanisms to protect society and prevent possible uncontrolled processes in the country,” the statement reads.