The Georgian Technical University Asks the Television Company POSTV to Apologize for Spreading Unverified Information

The Georgian Technical University Issues Another Special Statement, Presented Here in Full:

“Recently, following the spread of information regarding the merger of the Georgian Technical University with Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, media outlets have been broadcasting informational programs and sharing unverified facts about the Georgian Technical University on social networks, misleading viewers and readers, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The University rules out the possibility that such unprofessional media behavior on such a sensitive issue which relates to the destruction of the 104-year history of the Georgian Technical University is deliberate, but we have reasonable grounds to believe that some media representatives are deliberately attempting to discredit the University in the eyes of the public and, for this purpose, are conducting a form of campaign.”

On February 3, the Georgian Technical University issued a special statement noting: “The University responds to today’s reports on the news programs ‘Courier’ and ‘Chronicle’ broadcast by the television companies ‘Rustavi 2’ and ‘Imedi,’ and categorically denies the information presented, in which the authors of these reports claim that the learning conditions at the Georgian Technical University are inadequate and that the infrastructure does not meet academic standards.”

Nevertheless, the television company POSTV, without visiting the University or verifying the information through telephone or other communication channels, shared on its social media page photos and information belonging to other television companies. We hope that POSTV did not act irresponsibly toward its colleagues as well and at least obtained permission from them to use the footage.

In the letter issued on February 3, the University stated: “Although the authors of the reports visited the University, they did not ask any questions about the situation in the 2nd academic building, even though they would have known that the educational process in the 2nd building of GTU has not been ongoing for several months. Had they received this information, the journalists would not have been able to prepare and, consequently, could not have broadcast reports of such content. Apparently, the truth did not serve their purposes, and they attempted to damage the image of the Georgian Technical University at the expense of misleading the audiencewhich they did successfully. The Georgian Technical University emphasizes once again that the visual material used in these reports does not reflect the actual condition of classrooms, laboratories, or sanitary facilities. Nevertheless, the reports drew opposite conclusions, which constitutes an attempt to mislead the audience and directly violates the Law of Georgia ‘On Broadcasting’ (Articles: 52, paragraph ‘c’ the obligation to clearly distinguish facts and commentary in programs; 54 the broadcaster’s obligation to ensure accuracy and proper verification of information; 56 the right of the concerned party to respond and correct information; 59 the prohibition of misleading the audience) as well as the basic principles of journalistic ethics, particularly the norms of accuracy and objectivity”.

The same approach applies in the case of the television company POSTV. The University categorically demands that the television company apologize to the University for spreading unverified and inaccurate information and retract the information it published, even though it did not originally obtain this information. However, the act of sharing the information confirms that POSTV aligns itself with ‘Rustavi 2’ and ‘Imedi,’ which we consider to be part of a deliberate campaign to discredit the Georgian Technical University.