Georgia opposition irate over fake 'terror' newscast

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=120883§ionid=351020606


Opposition politicians in Georgia have criticized the government over approving a hoax television broadcast of a simulated Russian invasion that sparked widespread panic.

The broadcast, aired by Imedi channel on Saturday, displayed mock footage of a “terror attack” by Russian forces, claiming that President Mikheil Saakashvili had been killed.

With less than two years since the countries engaged in a brief war over the rebel region of South Ossetia, panic was quick to spread, leaving people injured and leading to a shut down of mobile phone networks as frightened Georgians rushed to phone each other.

The country's main opposition group on Monday slammed the government, suggesting the move was a measure to stay in power through "information terror," taking a jibe at the fake news report.

The country is set to hold local election on May 30.

Meanwhile, the embattled head of Imedi channel brushed off calls for resignation and sought to defend the false newscast, maintaining that it was not aiming to “shock” or horrify citizens.

"The goal was not to scare society; the goal was to talk about those security threats which our country faces," he was quoted as saying in a late Sunday interview with Georgian Public Television.

The simulated broadcast Saturday sparked wide anxiety in Georgia, which is still traumatized by the August 2008 war, in which Russian troops advanced deep into the country.