Patriarchate says three media outlets are ‘particularly aggressive, biased’ against church

The Georgian Patriarchate says that the opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi, Formula and TV Pirveli channels are using hate speech, are biased and ‘particularly aggressive’  against church,  clergy and parish. 

 

In a statement released earlier today the Patriarchate says that the ‘aggressive reporting’ has become more intense following the events of Tbilisi Pride where clergymen ‘have done their utmost to make peace and protect journalists.’ 

 

“We call on everyone to exercise restraint. We also appeal to clerics to write to the management of the TV channel and inform them that they do not want to communicate with their journalists because of the complicated situation,” said the Patriarchate. 

 

The Patriarchate states that instead of covering the information objectively, journalists of these media outlets are making ‘biased assessments and baseless accusations, deliberately distorting facts and trying to upset  respondents with provocative questions.’ 

 

“Reportings are made with a modified context which misleads viewers and depict clergymen as violent,” said the statement. 

 

The Patriarchate admitted that ‘some misconduct’ took place by some clerics. ‘ However, the media outlets tried to damage the reputation of the whole church with the use of rare exceptions.’ 

 

“These journalists want to turn churchyards into a place of political debates, give a political background to religious statements and a teaching and put ordinary citizens in an awkward situation through their questions or behaviour,” said the statement. 

 

The Patriarchate claims that despite the ‘very obvious, gross violation of journalistic ethics and various examples of psychological violence” the activities of the media organisations ‘for some reason remain unnoticed by embassies or NGOs.’ 

 

“Unfortunately, some politicians instead of taking steps to normalize the process, are equally insulting the church,”  said the Patriarchate, calling  on everyone ‘to show restraint; trust God and patiently overcome challenges.’