On December 5, a fragment of an interview with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili was shared by LiSa Gegechkori, a host on the pro-government POSTV channel and an administrator of the Facebook group “Anti-Maidan!,” as well as by the Facebook page “Georgian Page – / Rati’s Page.” According to LiSa Gegechkori, Zourabichvili assesses the act of aiming fireworks at a journalist from the Public Broadcaster as freedom of expression. In the video, in response to journalist Tamta Sanikidze’s question, “Was the bullying of journalists acceptable to you?” Zourabichvili replies, “I do not think this is bullying; this is the right to express.”
This fragment of video is accompanied by a frame from Imedi TV’s live broadcast, in which a protest participant allegedly aims fireworks at the Public Broadcaster’s crew. The post creates the impression that the president describes the act of aiming fireworks at the Public Broadcaster’s crew as the right to express.
The video circulating on social media is misleading, and the description accompanying the post is disinformation. The president’s comment was not about the use of fireworks but rather about forms of protest and freedom of expression. It was a response to a specific question from the journalist regarding the protest organized at the Public Broadcaster and the forms of protest directed at journalists.
On December 5, 2024, journalist Tamta Sanikidze conducted an interview with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on the Public Broadcaster. One of the topics of the interview was the protests that began on November 28 at the Public Broadcaster and their progression. In one of her questions (timecode [2:01:01]), Sanikidze referred to a post published by the president on social media: “Now it’s time for the Public Broadcaster.” According to the journalist, shortly after the post, protests began at the Public Broadcaster, which were particularly challenging for journalists as the events involved elements of bullying, and journalists became one of the main targets of the protest.
In response, Zourabichvili stated that the Public Broadcaster is not fulfilling its primary role, which includes covering diverse opinions and ensuring the involvement of all segments of society. She also mentioned that she had repeatedly been denied participation in programs of various formats by the Public Broadcaster. In turn, Sanikidze repeatedly asked the president whether the forms of protest, including bullying directed at journalists, were acceptable to her.
The president replied that she did not consider it bullying and that the protest fell within the boundaries of freedom of expression. She stated that the public has the right to express its attitudes, but at the same time, journalists are expected to adhere to ethical standards. Zourabichvili also noted that while some forms of protest may not be acceptable to everyone, they are part of freedom, and everyone has the right to express their opinions in the way they see fit. Sanikidze returned to the question multiple times, asking again, “While some forms of protest may be unacceptable to certain people, do you still support the verbal bullying directed at journalists?”
The president reiterated that freedom of expression should not be restricted by matters of personal taste. She emphasized that society has the right to protest, even when it is unpleasant or unacceptable to others. However, she also stressed that journalists have a responsibility to adhere to ethical standards, particularly those working at the Public Broadcaster. Zourabichvili noted that, in this instance, a journalist violated ethical principles, and his behavior was also unacceptable. The discussion referred to offensive comments made by Giorgi Gvimradze, the Director of the News and Current Affairs Block at the Public Broadcaster, towards female protest participants (1, 2).
A few minutes later, at [2:13:48], Tamta Sanikidze posed a question again: “And was the form of bullying against journalists acceptable to you?”
To this, Zourabichvili responded the following:
“I don’t think this is bullying; this is the right to express, and let me tell you again that journalists have an ethical obligation, but society does not. Society can protest, argue, get emotional, or express anger. This is society.”
What did Salome Zourabichvili say about the use of fireworks?
Regarding the use of fireworks, Tamta Sanikidze asked Salome Zourabichvili a question a few minutes into the interview [1:25:05]. The journalist noted that in some cases, the actions of protest participants could escalate the situation and create tension. She highlighted the use of fireworks and various objects, which she described as dangerous and unacceptable. Sanikidze also mentioned that one of her colleagues was injured by fireworks and asked whether the president saw any danger in such actions and if they fell within the bounds of freedom of expression.
Zourabichvili responded:
“I will not engage in the logic of perceiving protest participants as a threat. I have witnessed many demonstrations in other countries, especially in France… [Here] people come out peacefully, dance, sing, and express their opinions with their families. What changed this situation? Who brought out the riot police? Who angered the people?”
The president emphasized that she personally does not support the use of fireworks and considers such actions dangerous. However, she noted that a more significant issue is how law enforcement treated the protest participants:
“I don’t like fireworks; I’m afraid of them even when they are used during New Years. But is that the main problem? The main problem is how people were chased, how homes were entered at night, and how they were not allowed to return home peacefully.”
Accordingly, while fireworks are indeed dangerous, the primary problem, according to Zourabichvili, was the actions of law enforcement. She added that before the use of excessive force by authorities, the protest had been organized and peaceful.
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