The head of the service, Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, published a lengthy letter on his Facebook page in which he criticizes the “Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics” and accuses it of bias.

Jagmaidze’s dissatisfaction followed the Charter’s October 15 statement, which concerned the Patriarchate’s imposition of restrictions on independent television channels—”Formula” and “TV Pirveli.” Specifically, the Patriarchate did not grant special accreditation to the aforementioned broadcasters, thereby restricting their right to cover the Svetitskhovloba holiday on October 14. It was precisely this decision that the Charter assessed as discrimination and an unjustified interference in journalistic activity.

In response, Andria Jagmaidze states that the Charter “has turned into a bureau defending radical media directed against the Church.”

“One wonders, has the Charter really not noticed any ethical misconduct on the part of journalists since 2021? Has it really not seen the video footage depicting the questionable behavior of journalists toward clergy, including instances of disturbing them during religious services and disregarding established rules?” writes Andria Jagmaidze.

The head of the Patriarchate’s press service attached a video collage to the text, featuring edited excerpts compiled over the years showing journalists’ attempts to ask critical questions to various members of the clergy.

At the end of the statement, Andria Jagmaidze calls into question the professional responsibility of the self-regulatory body and asks: “Has the time not come to create an ethics commission for the Charter of Journalistic Ethics?!”