We would like to present our new report: “The Dragon’s Path in Georgian Media: China in the Georgian Information Environment,” which clearly demonstrates how the Georgian media landscape is being shaped in a way that reflects the anti-Western trajectory of the ruling party, while simultaneously promoting the governance model of the People’s Republic of China as a parallel or alternative path for Georgian society.
The media analysis unequivocally reveals the systematic dissemination of propaganda messages and well-crafted narratives aimed at:
- discrediting liberal democracy;
- portraying the West as a space of crisis, weakness, and moral decline;
- establishing China as a stable, successful, and desirable alternative.
Key Findings:
The report shows that China-related content in Georgian media has significantly increased and become more structured, particularly after “strategic partnership” with China became a government priority.
The following trends are identified:
- Pro-government media consistently portrays China as a strong, peaceful, and reliable partner, while critical assessments are virtually absent;
- At the same time, the West is frequently depicted in the context of crisis, moral degradation, and political weakness;
- Media discourse continuously constructs a contrast in which China succeeds where the West fails — in areas such as war and peace, economic development, and global stability;
- Some media outlets receive direct funding from the Chinese Embassy and disseminate content with clear signs of propaganda;
- Even the Public Broadcaster fails to provide balanced coverage and often aligns with government narratives;
- The media environment increasingly promotes the idea that closer ties with China represent a “pragmatic” alternative to the Western foreign policy course.
The report also shows that positive narratives about China are systematically framed within the context of the “failure” of the West, creating a unified informational framework—China is presented as a model of success, while the West is depicted as an example of crisis and failure.
These trends pose a serious challenge to Georgia’s democratic development, the process of Euro-Atlantic integration, and the country’s information security. This demonstrates that informational influence is no longer merely a media issue; it is directly linked to the country’s strategic choices and the future of its democratic development.
