Georgia and the World has been a leading online publication in spreading anti-Western messages for years. Its founding organization, “Historical Heritage,” maintains direct ties to the Kremlin.
In 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Alexander Tchatchia, a member of the Public Council of Historical Heritage, with the Order of Honor for his substantial contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation and developing scientific and cultural ties. In the award order, Tchatchia is mentioned as the publisher of “Georgia and the World.”
Tchatchia is one of the main ideologists of pro-Kremlin groups, promoting a narrative of incompatibility between Western values and Orthodox Christianity.
Georgia and World most frequently uses Russian-language propagandist media platforms as a source of information. This edition relies most heavily on materials of the Strategic Culture Foundation (Fondsk.ru). According to the 2020 report of the US Department of State, the Strategic Culture Foundation is directed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service and closely affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In April 2021, the US Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on the Strategic Culture Foundation. Georgia and World also often relies on Russian-government-established Ria Novosti, propagandist platform Vzglyad (vz.ru), News Front, EADaily, Russia Today, topwar.ru, Topcor.ru, tsargrad.tv, regnum.ru and others. It is worth to note that Tsargrad TV (Царьград ТВ) which was often cited by Georgia and World with regard to juvenile legislation, is founded by the Russian oligarch, Konstantin Malofeev. Malofeev supports the idea of reinstatement of Russian Empire; he also funded the process of annexation of Crimea by Russia, which prompted the USA and the EU to put him on the list of sanctioned individuals. In 2015-2016, the editor-in-chief of the Tsargrad TV was Aleksandr Dugin the leader of the Eurasia Movement and ideologist of Russia’s aggressive expansionist policy.
The publication has spread numerous disinformation on the topics of biolabs, Russia’s full-scale intervention in Ukraine, and identity.
The publication is affiliated with the Russian agency Newsfront. Tariel Gagnidze, the founder of Historical Heritage, cooperates with partner organizations of the Russian World in Georgia. The latter also participates in events organized by the Kremlin propaganda outlet Sputnik.
