A discrediting campaign has been launched in pro-government media outlets against comedian and activist Onise Okriashvili, as well as the YouTube project “Punchline Therapy.” The campaign followed one episode of the show, in which Okriashvili is one of the co-hosts, together with Anastasia Bendukidze and Irakli Jabua.
Initially, TV channel Imedi referred to Onise Okriashvili as an “opposition activist” and stated that, in the podcast, he had used hate speech directed at writer Nodar Dumbadze. Later, Rustavi 2 also prepared a story with similar content, portraying “Punchline Therapy” as a podcast built on insulting, mocking, and dignity-degrading rhetoric.
Rustavi 2’s story claimed that the targets of the hosts’ degrading jokes included clergy members, street vendors, elderly people, and Nodar Dumbadze. The story also included comments from the ruling party, alleging that podcasts of this kind serve to normalize hate speech, increase polarization, and establish “anti-Georgian rules,” which, according to them, are also financially supported by “external actors.”
Onise Okriashvili published a video statement on social media in response to the controversy surrounding him. According to his explanation, no insult was made against Nodar Dumbadze in the podcast. Okriashvili stated that the conversation took place in a hypothetical context and that the phrase was intended to illustrate the absurdity of hatred toward the writer.
Okriashvili is a comedian who has recently been actively involved in the protest movement. He participates in various solidarity actions, including protests against restrictions on freedom of expression and unlawful detentions. According to his supporters, the campaign launched against him is another example of attempts to discredit people who are active in the protest movement and hold critical views. Supporters also state that pro-government channels presented the podcast phrase out of context and attempted to use it to stir up public aggression. In their assessment, the campaign aims to discredit not only Onise Okriashvili, but also people who publicly express critical positions toward the authorities.
