Georgia 'invasion' proves hoax
Source: Agencies |
March 15, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GEORGIA'S opposition accused the government yesterday of being behind a fake prime-time news report that Russian tanks had entered the capital at the call of the opposition, causing wide panic.
For many Saturday night viewers, the 20-minute report on pro-government Imedi TV thrust the country back to its five-day war with Russia in August 2008.
The report laid out a scenario in which opposition leaders called on Russian forces now stationed in South Ossetia to intervene in political unrest following mayoral elections in Tbilisi, which are due by the end of May.
Imedi, which is run by a close ally of President Mikheil Saakashvili, did not hide the fact the report was in response to two opposition leaders meeting separately with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin late last year and this month.
The aim, it said, was to show how events might unfold.
The opposition was furious, saying the stunt raised fresh questions over what international watchdogs say is state manipulation of news media under Saakashvili.
Government officials have denied involvement. Asked if Saakashvili was involved or aware of the report before it aired, his spokeswoman said she was unable to comment.
"Full responsibility for the preparation and the results of the report lie with the Georgian authorities, which have practically monopolized all television space in order to wage information terror on their own people," the opposition Alliance for Georgia said in a statement.
Introduced as a simulation of "the worst day in Georgian history," the report then ran without a banner making clear it was not real.
Mobile phone networks crashed from the weight of calls and emergency services reported a spike in demand.
Many Georgians rushed home, and some Russian media interrupted their regular programing.
For many Saturday night viewers, the 20-minute report on pro-government Imedi TV thrust the country back to its five-day war with Russia in August 2008.
The report laid out a scenario in which opposition leaders called on Russian forces now stationed in South Ossetia to intervene in political unrest following mayoral elections in Tbilisi, which are due by the end of May.
Imedi, which is run by a close ally of President Mikheil Saakashvili, did not hide the fact the report was in response to two opposition leaders meeting separately with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin late last year and this month.
The aim, it said, was to show how events might unfold.
The opposition was furious, saying the stunt raised fresh questions over what international watchdogs say is state manipulation of news media under Saakashvili.
Government officials have denied involvement. Asked if Saakashvili was involved or aware of the report before it aired, his spokeswoman said she was unable to comment.
"Full responsibility for the preparation and the results of the report lie with the Georgian authorities, which have practically monopolized all television space in order to wage information terror on their own people," the opposition Alliance for Georgia said in a statement.
Introduced as a simulation of "the worst day in Georgian history," the report then ran without a banner making clear it was not real.
Mobile phone networks crashed from the weight of calls and emergency services reported a spike in demand.
Many Georgians rushed home, and some Russian media interrupted their regular programing.
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