U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Bass has given a negative assessment to the report of a supposed invasion by Russian armed forces that was broadcast last Saturday by the Imedi TV company.
“Such reports do not contribute to the consolidation of Georgian security. This report didn’t adhere to journalist standards,” Bass said Sunday evening on Georgian public television, Interfax reports.
As was reported, the Georgian TV company Imedi on Saturday at 8 pm Tbilisi time when usually news program comes, reported a pre-recorded ready-mounted flash. The report of the “Russian invasion,” in particular reported the bombardment of airports and seaports, killed and injured people, the conversion to the enemy side of three Georgian battalions, the murder of President Mikheil Saakashvili and finally a prepared speech of by the Russian president, who supposedly ordered the occupation of Georgia.
The TV program caused panic among the Georgian public because Imedi only casually explained that it was “only an imitation of possible events.” In the country the volume of phone calls to emergency service and number of heart attacks sharply increased. The activities of the TV company caused strictly negative reactions among the Georgian opposition, and tens of people gathered to protest in front Imedi’s headquarters in Tbilisi.
