Concerned about the substantial deterioration of the media situation and the safety of journalists in Georgia in recent years, MEPs called on the country on Thursday 9 June to guarantee media freedom and ensure the safety, protection and empowerment of journalists.
They say that the Georgian authorities must thoroughly investigate all cases of violence and prosecute those responsible for inciting and carrying out violent attacks against journalists.
In its resolution adopted by a show of hands, the European Parliament also calls on all Georgian government representatives to refrain from using aggressive rhetoric towards media representatives in Georgia, from interfering with media freedom and from pursuing politically motivated court cases against media owners or representatives.
MEPs also deeply regret the polarisation of the media landscape, “which reflects the growing and damaging polarisation of the political landscape”.
Finally, Parliament believes that Georgia should stop exploiting the growing Russian disinformation and propaganda to target their respective political opponents. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)