“The West interferes in Georgia’s internal affairs”. It is the title of a segment aired daily on Azerbaijan’s state television, AzTV, featuring various government officials as guests. One such guest is Samad Seyidov, a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and head of the former Azerbaijani delegation in PACE. Ahead of Georgia’s parliamentary elections, Seyidov claimed that “the West is trying to control Georgia and wants to take over its economy.”
While Georgia is going to hold a parliamentary election on 26 October 2024, government-controlled media in Azerbaijan have increasingly focused on this narrative, with TV programs accusing the West of interfering in Georgia’s election process.
Mikroskop Media has monitored broadcasts on three Azerbaijani government-controlled television channels:
AZTV
October 16. “Target” Program.
Azerbaijan Television – AzTV is a state-owned TV Broadcast, which millions of manats are allocated to it each year, from the state budget. Usually, AzTV’s various TV programs include comments and analyses on foreign of Azerbaijan.
One of the TV programs of AzTV is “The Target” which is broadcast daily. On October 16 it lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes and included discussions on various topics. The certain part of the TV program on Georgia’s parliamentary elections, lasted over 26 minutes.
One of the guests on the TV program, Azerbaijani MP Samad Seyidov commented on the “West’s influence” on Georgia, stating:
“The West’s policy is driving the people toward a disaster.”
“In Georgia, people realize that they are losing their country. Independence and sovereignty are fading. All of this happens because of Western grants and money. That’s why, we see LGBT movements and NGOs. The West changes the mindset in Georgia through billions that have already been invested in this country. The process we are witnessing today in Georgia is fundamental. However, the real danger is that they are even interfering in the election process, and trying to disrupt it.” Samad Seyidov stated.
REAL TV
October 14. News Segment.
Although REAL TV officially is not funded by the state budget, it is considered one of the prominent pro-governmental TV Broadcasts which promotes the government, and its internal and foreign policy.
In a reportage titled “The West is Increasing Pressure on Georgia – Trying to Bring the Russia-Ukraine Scenario to the South Caucasus,” the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia are described as a “turning point.” The report claims that “the U.S. and the European Union are preparing provocations through the hands of the radical opposition.”
“It appears, the West is set on following its traditional script again, trying to implement plans that date back to 2008. The West is also attempting to bring the Russia-Ukraine scenario to the South Caucasus.” says the author
ARB 24
October 16. “Business Morning” Program.
Another government-controlled channel, ARB 24, featured Azerbaijani MP Hikmet Babaoglu. A part of the TV program was titled: “Armenian Intelligence Works for the West in Georgia: Is Tbilisi Being Turned Into a Battleground?”
In the excerpt from the program, discussed a possible scenario in which Armenia might start a new war against Azerbaijan.
“If Armenia declares war on Azerbaijan, it won’t be on its initiative but on orders from those arming it,” commented Babaoglu.
“Today, Armenia is working with Georgian citizens of Armenian descent to create chaos in Georgia after the elections. The aim is to provoke significant disruption and increase the opposition’s presence. This way, the West’s pressure won’t diminish. Armenia is even working on a scenario for a civil war in Georgia. What will the outcome be? Will Russia emerge stronger in the image of the ‘Georgian Dream’ or the West in the image of the opposition? If the West gains strength, we may be one step closer to war with Armenia.”
