Finance
Georgian broadcaster calls UK sanctions an 'unthinkable' attack on free speech
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 28, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 28, 2026
Quick Summary
A major pro‑government Georgian broadcaster, Imedi, branded UK sanctions as an “unthinkable” attack on free speech, defending its editorial independence amid escalating tensions between Tbilisi and the West.
Imedi Defends Editorial Policy After UK Sanctions for Disinformation Claims
Imedi Responds to UK Sanctions and Disinformation Allegations
TBILISI, Feb 27 (Reuters) - A major pro-government television channel in Georgia, sanctioned by Britain for spreading "Russian disinformation", defended its editorial policy on Friday against what it called an attack on free speech amid souring relations between Tbilisi and the West.
Imedi's Stance on Editorial Independence
"Censoring the Georgian audience is simply unthinkable, and no revision or change of editorial policy is planned," Irakli Chikhladze, deputy director of the Imedi broadcaster, told Reuters.
"We are doing objective journalism and no sanctions or labels will apply," he said.
Details of UK Sanctions
Britain imposed sanctions on Tuesday on Imedi and another Georgian channel, PosTV, accusing them of promoting false narratives about the war in Ukraine. It singled out Imedi for portraying the Ukrainian government as illegitimate, or a puppet of the West.
Reactions from Georgian Authorities
The move drew condemnation from Georgia's ruling party, and Tbilisi raised its concerns with the British ambassador, who was summoned to the foreign ministry on Thursday.
Context: Georgia's Political Landscape
Once seen as one of the more democratic and pro-Western former Soviet states, Georgia has grown more authoritarian since the war in Ukraine began and has expanded economic ties with Russia. Relations with Western governments have slumped.
Imedi and PosTV: Rejecting Pro-Russian Labels
Chikhladze rejected claims that Imedi is pro-Russian in an interview with Reuters at the channel's Tbilisi offices. The founder of PosTV also condemned the sanctions.
Imedi's Audience and Ownership
Imedi has broad reach, with around 30% of Georgians tuning in regularly, according to Natia Songulashvili, head of its information service.
The broadcaster was until recently owned by Irakli Rukhadze, a Georgian-born U.S. citizen based in Britain, who sold his shares this month to an entity called Prime Media Global.
Impact of Sanctions on Imedi's Operations
Chikhladze did not address how Imedi will operate under the sanctions, which freeze any assets or properties it holds in Britain and bar its owners from running other UK-based companies.
(Reporting by Reuters. Writing by Lucy Papachristou. Editing by Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Imedi and PosTV were sanctioned by the UK on February 24, 2026, over allegations of spreading Russian disinformation about the Ukraine war, including portraying Ukraine’s government as illegitimate or a puppet of the West
- •Georgian officials—including the Foreign Ministry, ruling party figures, and the mayor of Tbilisi—denounced the sanctions as groundless and an attack on media freedom, summoning the UK ambassador for explanations
- •These sanctions form part of broader concerns over democratic backsliding in Georgia, including adoption of a ‘foreign agents’ law, increasing authoritarian control over media, and growing economic ties to Russia
Frequently Asked Questions about Georgian broadcaster calls UK sanctions an 'unthinkable' attack on free speech
1Why did the UK impose sanctions on Georgian broadcaster Imedi?
The UK sanctioned Imedi for allegedly spreading Russian disinformation and promoting false narratives about the war in Ukraine.
2How did Imedi respond to the UK sanctions?
Imedi defended its editorial policy, calling the sanctions an attack on free speech and stating that no changes to its coverage are planned.
3What impact do the UK sanctions have on Imedi?
The sanctions freeze Imedi's UK assets and prevent its owners from operating UK-based companies.
4How has Georgia's relationship with the West changed since the war in Ukraine?
Georgia’s relations with Western governments have deteriorated, and the country has increased economic ties with Russia.
5How many Georgians regularly watch Imedi?
Approximately 30% of Georgians tune in to Imedi regularly, according to its information service head.
