On 17 May, Formula TV (more specifically, the programme Droeba) deceived its viewers by broadcasting false information about the availability of internet. According to the programme host and the journalist reporting on the issue, 30% of the Georgian population has no internet access. The report also claimed that there is no internet infrastructure in the villages of Iliatsminda, Gudaleti and Bodbiskhevi. Both of these claims are false, since 82% of Georgians have access to internet, and there is at least one internet provider operating in each of the aforementioned villages. 

The number of fixed internet subscribers is dynamically growing. While only 42% of the Georgian population had internet access in 2013, the figure has nearly doubled to 82% according to the latest available data. Against this background, it is difficult to comprehend why people would wish to spread false information instead of reporting the true facts that are publicly available on the GNCC website.

It is highly important for the Government and the GNCC to ensure development of internet infrastructure in sparsely populated areas where private companies are not operating due to their business model. The constitutional rights of residents in these areas must be protected by providing them with internet access. However, people who are unable to get online currently make up 18% of the population, rather than 30% as reported during the programme.

Regarding the villages named in the same programme as having no internet infrastructure, it must be pointed out that there is at least one internet provider operating in each of the three villages in question. All relevant information can be viewed on GNCC’s analytics portal.

The village of Iliatsminda is served by the companies Neo Net and Skytel, the village of Gudaleti by Skytel, and the village of Bodbiskhevi by Magticom and Skytel.

Based on all of the above, it is evident that the Sunday programme Droeba presented inaccurate information as facts. It is regrettable that the programme has chosen to deceive the public by circulating falsehoods.