Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili today rebuked a pro-government television channel that aired a faked newscast announcing a Russian invasion, saying it had damaged the country. Mr Saakashvili had initially defended the broadcast on Saturday night, saying it depicted an “unpleasant” possible reality. But after Georgia’s chief ally the United States expressed sharp disapproval and arch-foe Russia more predictably slammed the broadcast as evidence of the president’s “paranoia”, the Preisent turned on the station.
“This programme, as presented in such plot and form, was meaningless and even harmful to our society,” Saakashvili said in a statement. “Any TV channel is free to televise its own position - even if it is provocative - but this must happen by adhering strictly to established standards.”
The report, aired Saturday night on Imedi television, said Russian tanks were headed for the capital Tbilisi, that Saakashvili had been killed and that some opposition leaders had sided with invading forces. Imedi is seen by some analysts as being linked to the government although its true ownership structure remains a mystery. Previously a pro-opposition channel, it was shut down by police during anti-government protests in 2007 and later sold off under disputed circumstances. Giorgi Arveladze, a close ally of Saakashvili who once served as the president’s chief of staff, took charge of Imedi last year.
(Source: AFP)
