2010 Georgian news report hoax
The 2010 Georgian news report hoax, also known as "Simulated Chronicle", was a
The hoax drew widespread criticism from the opposition, the Georgian media, and the public, as well as many international commentators and officials. Then-President Mikheil Saakashvili, whom Imedi TV supported, was accused of involvement in the hoax. It has been considered one of the most shocking hoaxes of all time.[2]
The broadcast
Special Report was a weekly programme broadcast on Imedi TV on Saturdays at 8:30 pm. On 13 March 2010, Imedi moved its timeslot forward to 7:59 pm, the timeslot allocated to Chronicle, Imedi TV's news programme. Chronicle, which normally airs at 8:00 pm, is a major source of information for Imedi TV viewers.[3]
The fake news broadcast, which was presented as a Chronicle
Though the beginning and end of the program noted the events of the broadcast were a fictional "simulation", the rest of the broadcast did not. Two hours after the initial broadcast, Imedi aired a follow-up broadcast apologising for spreading panic.[8]
Effects
The broadcast sparked widespread panic across Georgia, as many Georgians did not see the disclaimer at the beginning of the broadcast and assumed that they were watching live events.
The deaths of three people were indirectly caused by the hoax and the ensuing panic. Gaioz Odishelidze, a 50-year-old man from Aragvispiri in the Dusheti district, suffered a fatal heart attack whilst watching the program. According to his son, Odishelidze cried out "What the hell's going on?", before grabbing his chest and collapsing. An ambulance rushed to the scene, but paramedics were unable to revive him.[1][15][16] Vano Nasaridze, a 75-year-old resident of Tbilisi and a refugee from Sukhumi, suffered a stroke whilst watching the broadcast. Nasaridze's family rushed him to a hospital on 14 March, where he underwent surgery, but died several days later.[1][17] Nasaridze's family announced their intention to sue Imedi, insisting that the program was responsible for his death.[18] A woman whose son was serving in the Georgian Army died of a heart attack while watching the program.[1]
Domestic reaction
The opposition in Georgia condemned the programme,
Former
In a poll run by Kviris Palitra, 63% of the 406 respondents believe that Saakashvili was involved in the preparation of the fake report, whilst 8.7% believe the President was uninvolved, with 28.3% indicating they were unsure.[24][25]
Georgian journalist reactions
The Imedi broadcast was condemned by many Georgian journalists who took part in protests at the Imedi TV building.[9] Giorgi Udzilauri, a journalist with the Akhali Taoba newspaper, noted that the programme demonstrated that propaganda has a large influence in Georgia, and went on to say that the programme was a test of public reaction towards the Georgian government's "next violence and military adventure", and that it appears the Government still holds such plans. Udzilauri also called Imedi a "propaganda trumpet" of the government, and stated his belief that those responsible should be taken to court, as creating panic is a crime against the State.[26] Luba Eliashvili stated their belief that Imedi should be charged, however, new laws in Georgia do not provide significant penalties. Eliashvili also stated that a positive outcome of the report is that people have lost their trust in Imedi and the "Mischists" forever.[26] Gia Iakobashvili, the Editor-in-Chief of presa.ge, stated their belief that all journalists should protest against Imedi, and that journalists should not participate in any Imedia programming.[26] Giorgi Mamatsashvili, a journalist with the Asaval-Dasavali newspaper, regarded the programme as a staged show, and after hearing the alleged telephone conversation between Tsamalashvili and Arveladze, stated his belief that the programme had the intent of creating panic and to implement the Government's ideology. Mamatsashvili also said that "Imedi has become a house of prostitution. This Government's ideology is to fight against the Patriarch and destroy the Church."[26]
The Council of the Charter of Journalistic Ethics in Georgia had a meeting on 25 March 2010, in which they discussed journalistic ethics in the Georgian media. Special Report anchor Natia Koberidze was due to attend the meeting but later withdrew. Koberidze stated that she was ready to attend the Council meeting, but due to its public format, decided to withdraw as the meeting could be used as a mean to attack her. Eter Turadze, the Council head, stated at the meeting that it was not being held to punish anyone, although sanctions could be considered if the Council felt that journalistic ethical norms were breached. Turadze also said that the stated aim of the meeting was to call upon journalists to act according to ethical norms.[27] As a result of Koberidze's non-attendance at the meeting, the Council sent her 16 questions via email, which among other things asked her who was responsible for the fake news report being broadcast with visible warnings that it was only a simulation, and whether she had been put under any pressure. Koberidze replied to the questionnaire by saying that she did not violate the Charter, as warnings were given to viewers at the beginning of the programme that it was a simulation. She also stated she was not aware who was responsible for the absence of visible warnings during the programme.[27]
Imedi response
Government response
On 14 March 2010, speaking to residents in the Bolnisi region, Saakashvili appeared to defend the broadcast,[12][19][32] and stated "(i)t was indeed a very unpleasant program, but the most unpleasant thing is that it is extremely close to what can happen and to what Georgia's enemy has conceived".[19] The only part of the fake report that Saakashvili specifically objected to was the part which said that some of the Georgian Army had joined forces with the Russians, as it is, according to Saakashvili, an insult to the military. However, during the Mukhrovani Mutiny Saakashvili called the same soldiers traitors and accused them of working for Russia. Military expert Giorgi Melitauri accused those behind the mutiny of being behind the writing of the programme.[33] On 15 March 2010, a written statement appeared on the Georgian President's website, in which, aside from accusing Russia of having aggressive plans against Georgia, he called for higher journalistic ethical standards to prevent such incidents in the future.[12]
Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri speaking in Brussels rejected the notion that the government exercised any control over Imedi, citing the station's private ownership;[34] despite this, the station is widely perceived as being under the control of the government in Tbilisi.[35]
Taped telephone recordings
On 15 March 2010, an audio recording alleged to be a telephone conversation between Arveladze and his deputy Eka Tsamalashvili was released by Forum.ge; because of Arveladze's close ties to Saakashvili this raised suspicions that the Saakashvili had been involved in the broadcast.[12][36] In the recording, a woman, allegedly Tsamalashvili, says that airing the report as if it were genuine news would be a violation of the Georgian Law on Broadcasting, and stated that a notification should be carried on screen telling viewers of the fake report that it was a simulation. A man, allegedly Arveladze, responds to the suggestion by saying that he had spoken to "Misha" — a nickname for Saakashvili — the day previous, and after being asked by Saakashvili whether the programme would be put to air as a regular Chronicle programme, he told him that it would. The man continued to say that he told Saakashvili that viewers would be told at the beginning of the broadcast that the programme was a simulation, but Saakashvili said not to do so, ostensibly because it would affect the effect of the programme.[36] The man goes on to say that the general plot outline had been provided to Ghia Nodia and Zurab Davitashvili, both former members of Saakashvili's government. After being asked about the plot outline, both Nodia and Davitashvili confirmed that they had received it from the television network prior to the broadcast.[37]
Arveladze denied the conversation took place and accused the Russian special services of fabricating the tape by stitching together phrases from different conversations to produce the recording. Tsamalashvili called the recording "absurd and a lie", and dismissed suggestions that she had received directions from government officials whilst working at Imedi. She also suggested involvement of Russian special services in the alleged fabrication.[36] Independent analyst Irakli Sesiashvili stated that the recording was "very close" to authentic, and stated his belief that the voices on the recording matched the alleged speakers manner of speaking. Sesiashvili also stated that it is impossible to "maintain natural intonation and idiolect in a fabricated tape".[36]
On 16 March 2010, an audio recording of an alleged telephone conversation between Saakashvili and the Georgian Minister of Culture
Irakli Sesiashvili suggested that Georgian Interior Minister
International reaction
Andrei Nesterenko, the spokesman for the
In calling the report irresponsible, Éric Fournier, the
The
NATO spokesman James Appathurai in a briefing in Brussels on 24 March 2010 called the false news report "unwise" and "unhelpful".[27] Appathurai also stated that the incident had not been viewed positively within NATO,[27] but would not affect Georgia's aspirations to enter the alliance.[59]
Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh called the programme "tremendous idiocy" and said that no attention should be paid to the contents of the program.[citation needed]
On 16 March 2010,
References
- ^ a b c d Khutsishvili, Tako (23 March 2010). "One More Person Died Because of Imedi Reportage". Human Rights Centre. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ a b Levy, Glen (16 March 2010). "Top 10 Shocking Hoaxes". Time. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ Georgian Times. Archived from the originalon 11 August 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ a b c "Georgian opposition demands apologies for fake invasion report". Tbilisi: RIA Novosti. 25 March 2010. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Felgenhauer, Pavel (19 March 2010). "Moscow Exploits TV Invasion Hoax to Isolate Georgia". Georgian Daily. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "Война миров" по-грузински: полный текст и видео программы о вторжении россиян (in Russian). Polit.ru. 14 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- Regnum News Agency. 15 March 2010. Archivedfrom the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
- ^ Watson, Ivan (14 March 2010). "Fake Russian invasion broadcast sparks Georgian panic - CNN.com". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Bogus TV report of Russian invasion panics Georgia". BBC News. 14 March 2010. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ Corso, Molly (16 March 2010). "Fake Georgia TV Report About Russian Invasion Stranger Than Fiction". Tbilisi: Eurasia Review. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ a b c Alberici, Emma (15 March 2010). "Georgia accused of approving Russian invasion hoax". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d Whitmore, Brian; RFE/RL Georgian Service (15 March 2010). "Saakashvili's Erratic Response To Invasion Hoax Raises Suspicions". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "Primetime Panic: Spoof report sparks fear and protests in Georgia". YouTube. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
- ^ a b Levy, Glen (16 March 2010). "Georgia On Everyone's Mind". Time. Archived from the original on 22 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- Georgian Times. 17 March 2010. Archived from the originalon 24 July 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ После просмотра сюжета "Имеди" скончались два человека (in Russian). Lenta.ru. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ "Another Georgian dies over Imedi's fake invasion report". Voice of Russia. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ "Another man dies in Georgia after Russian invasion hoax on Imedi". News.am. 19 March 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Weir, Fred (15 March 2010). "Georgia opposition leader slams Russian invasion hoax in interview". The Christian Science Monitor. Moscow. Retrieved 25 March 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Goble, Paul (17 March 2010). "'War of the Worlds' Broadcast Highlights Pathologies of Georgian-Russian Relations". The Moscow Times. Vienna. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "Hoax report intended to blacken Saakashvili's rivals — opposition". Moscow: RIA Novosti. 16 March 2010. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "Ex-Georgian President upholds opposition visit to Moscow". Voice of Russia. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ "Georgian Patriarch slams Imedi TV provocation". Tbilisi: Interfax. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ "63.0 Percent of Respondents Consider Mikheil Saakashvili Participated in Preparation of Simulated Chronicle". Interpressnews.ge. 29 March 2010. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Dzhavakhia, Eka (29 March 2010). Саакашвили был причастен к "спецрепортажу" "Имеди" ? - опрос (in Russian). Tbilisi: Россиа - Грузиа: Информационный Паритет. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
- ^ a b c d Tsivkarashvili, Shorena (22 March 2010). "Georgian Journalists Denounce Imedi Hoax Video". The Georgian Times. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d Gabekhadze, Gvantsa (26 March 2010). "Now NATO and US attack Imedi hoax". The Messenger (Georgia). Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ Osborn, Andrew (14 March 2010). "Russia invasion spoof report spreads panic in Georgia". The Telegraph. Moscow. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ "Imedi TV Chief Defends Fake Report". Civil Georgia. Tbilisi. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "Imedi head denies informing officials of fake report beforehand". Tbilisi: RIA Novosti. 16 March 2010. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ Kirtskhalia, N. (15 March 2010). "Imedi television obliged with apology". Tbilisi: Trend News Agency. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ Esslemont, Tom (15 March 2010). "Georgians question un-reality TV". BBC News. Tbilisi. Archived from the original on 22 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ Bzhalava, Dali; Melitauri, Giorgi (22 March 2010). "Giorgi Melitauri: The programme was written by the same people who staged the Mukhrovani Mutiny". The Georgian Times. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ a b Lobjakas, Ahto (18 March 2010). "In EU, Frustration With Georgia Now Evident". Brussels: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 24 March 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ Bidder, Benjamin (17 March 2010). "Burnishing a Tarnished Image: Georgia Mounts American PR Campaign". Der Spiegel. Moscow. Archived from the original on 22 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d Kupunia, Mzia (17 March 2010). "Taped phone conversation fuels discussions over Imedi TV hoax report". The Messenger (Georgia). Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "Phone Tape Adds New Twist to Fake TV Report". Civil Georgia. Tbilisi. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ a b "More Fake TV Report-Related Phone Recording". Civil Georgia. Tbilisi. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ Marquardt, Alexander (17 March 2010). "Recording Alleges Georgian President to Blame for Fake Invasion Panic". ABC News. Moscow. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "Authorities Rule Out Probe into Fake TV Report-Related Phone Recordings". Civil Georgia. Tbilisi. 19 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "Georgian Minister Rules Out Probe Into Incriminating Tapes". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 20 March 2010. Archived from the original on 6 April 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ "Russia condemns Georgian TV's 'immoral' invasion hoax". BBC News. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 24 March 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ "Russian MFA Slams Imedi TV's Fake Report". Civil Georgia. Tbilisi. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ "Georgian TV fake invasion report "part of information war against Russia"". Moscow: RIA Novosti. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ Hancock, Ben (15 March 2010). "Russian invasion hoax has Georgia opposition in uproar". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 22 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ "Putin views reopening of Russia-Georgia border as positive sign". Moscow: RIA Novosti. 4 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- Life.ru. 16 March 2010. Archivedfrom the original on 22 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "French Ambassador on Fake TV Report". Civil Georgia. Tbilisi. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ "French ambassador to Georgia perplexed at Imedi hoax". Voice of Russia. 16 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "UK ambassador's protest at Georgia TV hoax". BBC News. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ Civil.ge. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ Rossi, Alex (17 March 2010). "Saakashvili and his Theatre of Clowns". Sky News. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "John Bass Termed Bogus 'Chronicle' on Imedi TV as Perturbing". The Georgian Times. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "EU Monitors Warn Against Fake TV Report". Civil Georgia. Tbilisi. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ "EUMM expresses concern about Imedi scandal". The Georgian Times/Rustavi 2. 16 March 2010. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "EU's Barroso 'Concerned' over Imedi TV Fake Report". Civil Georgia. Tbilisi. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ Brunnstrom, David; Barkin, Noah (17 March 2010). "EU urges Georgia not to aggravate Russia tensions". Reuters. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "NATO: Fake TV Report 'Unwise'". Civil Georgia. Tbilisi. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "'Simulated Chronicle' Leading List of Top 10 Shocking and Outrageous Hoaxes". The Georgian Times. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-08-12. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- Novodvorskaya, Valeria (11 April 2010). Жестокая посадка (in Russian). Grani.ru. Archivedfrom the original on 12 April 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2010.