Manipulation and Polarization: How Disinformation Narratives Shape Perceptions of Georgia’s Parliamentary Elections

On December 8, 2024, in the latest episode of the “Gromov.LIVE” project, the following was said at the beginning of the program:

The events in Georgia dominated the front pages of leading regional media outlets all week. This is because there was yet another attempt to stage a Maidan or, as the initiators themselves call it, defend their right to a European path of freedom and democracy. Despite the loud – both figuratively and literally – nature of the event, it’s hard to call it special, no matter how much one might want to. Same actors, same names. Yet, out of habit, you begin to follow the events with interest and expect some new plot twists. But it’s the same story. Elections were held, where the forces that won were not those whom directors from Washington and Brussels wanted to see in power. They don’t want to see the victorious Georgian Dream due to its desire to pursue a sovereign policy. This was expressed in the adoption of laws on foreign agents. Just as in the past in our country, and until recently in Georgia, so-called opposition was funded and coordinated through NGOs. The ban on LGBT advertising and the suspension of negotiations on joining the European Union added further reasons to paint a picture of the victorious prime minister as pro-Russian. It doesn’t matter at all what he actually says. And Kobakhidze says things completely contrary to what is attributed to him. He, as before, advocates for a European development vector with his own regional, that is, Georgian characteristics. But in Europe, regional characteristics are not favored. If you’re not fighting Russia, at least get married. Preferably to a man.

Our verdict based on the conducted analyses and knowledge of the situation in Georgia:

Verdict: Incorrect

Reason:

• The thesis or statement is entirely false: information from multiple sources or opinions from experts in the field contradict it.
• Cause-and-effect relationships do not exist as stated.
• The event occurred in substantially different aspects than claimed.

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Full video:

We will analyze disinformation narratives and conduct semantic analysis.