Georgia: US Correspondent Rusa Shelia Resigns from Imedi TV Citing Anti-US Propaganda

Shelia's departure exposes deep-rooted issues in Georgian media environment

Location: Georgia, Tbilisi
Date: December 1, 2023

Rusa Shelia, a US-based correspondent for the Georgian pro-governmental TV channel Imedi, announced her resignation, citing the network's alleged anti-USA agenda as the primary reason for her departure. The Coalition for Women in Journalism and Women Press Freedom stand firmly in support of Rusa Shelia's decision to resign. This case underscores the vital importance of journalistic independence and the need to protect journalists from undue political influence, particularly in times of geopolitical tension and conflict.

Shelia, in a detailed op-ed published on the Georgian online media platform on.ge, outlined the gradual shift she observed in Imedi TV's editorial policy. Initially assigned to cover the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Shelia was later moved to Washington D.C. in July 2022 to lead the channel's US bureau. According to Shelia, her early work received no resistance from Imedi TV, but over time, she noticed a significant change.

"The network's interest in global media issues began to wane," Shelia wrote. "Instead, I found myself increasingly tasked with assignments that seemed solely aimed at discrediting the United States." Shelia's concerns, repeatedly voiced to her superiors, led to a temporary extension of her contract, but tensions rose following her public criticism of the Georgian government's "Foreign Agents Law" in March 2023.

This law, which has been widely criticized by various Georgian professionals and civil society organizations, is seen as a tool for political isolation and a threat to civil harmony. Shelia, among other journalists, has openly opposed this legislation, emphasizing its potential to damage Georgia's relationship with Western nations and provoke internal conflict.

Following her outspoken stance, Shelia reported receiving "hysterical calls" from Imedi TV, demanding her return to Tbilisi, a move she believes was directly linked to her public dissent. Ultimately, she agreed to resign in December 2023.

In a related development, Keti Partskhaladze, another journalist with Imedi TV, parted ways with the channel in October 2023. Partskhaladze, who had been with the network since 2013, disclosed that she had been pushed to shift her reporting from cultural to political content against her will. 

In 2020, the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, an independent self-regulatory body, accused Nikoloz Laliashvili, the director-general of Imedi TV, of breaching journalistic principles and compromising editorial independence. This accusation stems from a complaint filed by five former journalists of Maestro TV’s “Business News” program alleging that during late 2019 and early 2020, when Maestro TV was under Imedi Holding, Laliashvili, then the deputy director-general of Imedi TV, effectively dictated the program's content, prioritizing pro-government interests. 

Imedi TV, known for its openly pro-government editorial policy, has not hidden its critical views toward the opposition party, the National Movement. This was evident during the October 2018 elections when Imedi TV publicly pledged to oppose the United National Movement, supporting Salome Zurabishvili, backed by the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party. In a bold move, the channel altered its regular broadcasting schedule to prevent the return of the UNM regime.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom raises concerns about media freedom in Georgia, especially in the context of political pressures and the upcoming election year. The resignations of Shelia and Partskhaladze from a major Georgian TV channel highlight the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in maintaining editorial independence and resisting political influence. The situation described by Shelia, where her work was gradually sidelined in favor of content with a specific political slant, is an alarming example of how media outlets can potentially be used as tools for political agendas. This not only undermines the media's role as a pillar of democracy but also jeopardizes the public's trust in the information they receive. We urge Imedi TV and other Georgian media organizations to respect and uphold the principles of press freedom and journalistic integrity. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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