An investigative report published by the independent outlet Studio Monitori has been met with discrediting statements from government-affiliated businessman Vano Chkhartishvili. These statements were subsequently amplified by pro-government media in a coordinated campaign.

The backlash centers on a September 25 investigation by Studio Monitori regarding an Estonian businessman who faced ongoing investigations and legal proceedings in Georgia. His properties in Shindisi had been under seizure until a significant portion of the land was purchased by Chkhartishvili, a businessman with close ties to the government. The investigation also highlights an ongoing construction project in Shindisi belonging to the family of Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Following the report’s publication, Chkhartishvili released a letter dismissing the investigation as a “commissioned hit piece” and an attempt to discredit him, claiming it was built on “conspiracies.”

“I hope objective media will take an interest in this issue, ask objective questions, and provide objective analysis, so the public is not left solely with the biased and disinformative content produced by Studio Monitori,” Chkhartishvili stated.

His statement was widely amplified by pro-government broadcasters—Imedi TV, Rustavi 2, and POSTV—which shared it a total of nine times. Specifically, the letter was published five times on Imedi TV’s Facebook page, twice by Rustavi 2, and twice by POSTV.

However, the coordinated attack against Studio Monitori did not stop at simply publishing the statement.

Imedi TV and POSTV dedicated lengthy broadcast segments to targeting the investigation, later circulating edited video excerpts across social media. Media monitoring reveals that Imedi TV, POSTV, and Rustavi 2 produced a total of 14 separate materials directed against the investigative outlet over the course of three days.

In their coverage, Imedi TV labeled Studio Monitori an “organization dependent on foreign grants.” The broadcasts also featured commentary from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who accused Studio Monitori of acting as a “foreign agent.” Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili further claimed that “Studio Monitori is part of a group that generally acts against Georgia.”

POSTV described Monitori’s investigative work by stating, “They are incapable of reporting on anything good; they prefer fulfilling dirty commissioned tasks,” while branding the investigation “yet another fake.”

This is not the first time the independent investigative team at Studio Monitori has been the target of a coordinated smear campaign orchestrated by high-ranking Georgian Dream officials and their affiliated media.