Stop Talking of War in Georgian Media

The Human Rights Center considers that disinformation is being provided to Georgians

An alarming tendency has been recently observed in Georgia. Greater society is receiving messages from various sources that war is imminent with Abkhazia. Governmental officials continue making ambiguous statements in this direction. Moreover, both Georgian and Russian media sources are persistently speaking about a pending war.

The intentional spread of such disinformation is causing panic in both Georgian and Abkhazian society. Rumors about the prospects of war negatively impact upon both the reputation and opportunities for economic development in Georgia. In addition, the Russian Federation uses such information by taking advantage of the situation, as it continues to remind the Abkhazian side that they must be on guard, and how their Georgian counterparts poses a threat.

Despite all such rumors, there are no reasonable arguments to justify any real danger of a looming war. The information that is distributed by the media sources are mostly based on unsubstantial rumors and/or statements made by some prominent person. However, upon checking the information, everything proves to wrong and far from the truth.

The Human Rights Center considers that distribution of information about a pending war is just a governmental ploy in creating an illusion that Abkhazia will be returned. In addition, such information serves as devise of subterfuge in drawing attention away from real problem associated with upcoming parliamentary elections.

The Human Rights Center called upon the Georgian Government and media sources to stop manipulating  the topic of war  and bring an end to  the distribution of incorrect and misleading information that only paralyses the population, and further causes panic and escalation of the existing situation, and acts as a barrier in finding real options for the  peaceful resolution of the conflict.