The change of ownership did not affect the editorial policy of the Imedi TV channel.

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One of Georgia's key propaganda television channels, Imedi, has been sold for $370. The new owner is Ilia Mikelaishvili, a close associate of the government, who has already stated that the existing editorial policy will be respected.

At the beginning of the year, businessman Irakli Rukhadze and his partners sold the Imedi television company for 1,000 lari (approximately $370). Its new owner is Prime Media Global, a company 100% owned by Ilia Mikelaishvili, whom JAMnews reported in its material "New owner, old policy: What has (not) changed on Georgia's main propaganda channel" calls "close to the government."

One of the conditions of the concluded deal is the need to transfer half of the TV channel's shares to the management of Imedi. The publication notes that the channel's ownership has formally changed, but in fact, this is simply a "symbolic episode in the history of the channel, which for many years was the main information support of the Georgian Dream party."

According to the state reporting portal, Imedi's losses in 2024 exceeded 454 million lari (approximately $168 million). According to the publication, this is due to the fact that economic indicators were not the channel's primary focus—the project is political. Human rights activists note that the channel has been financed by Bidzina Ivanishvili and companies associated with him, including through preferential loans, since at least 2018.

Ilia Mikelaishvili stated that "the existing editorial policy will be observed," but added that he has "big plans" for the channel. According to JAMnews, the changes are related to internal party reshuffles within Georgian Dream. At the same time, The TV channel's purchase agreement contains a clause stating that its activities should not be used against its former owners or persons associated with them.

The publication also identified the new owner of the channel. It was revealed that Mikelaishvili was involved in a conflict near the campaign headquarters of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze. Video footage described by the publication shows Mikelaishvili attempting to engage in a fight with protesters, while police attempt to separate the two.

In an interview with the publication, experts called Imedi a key element of the ruling party's information infrastructure. According to philosopher Levan Gambashidze, "all narratives through which the government influences society originate from this channel."

Expert Gia Khukhashvili noted that Irakli Rukhadze was never the real owner of Imedi; in fact, the channel has always reported to Ivanishvili. At the same time, the expert asserts, Rukhadze benefited from this situation, as he received the green light to conduct business over the years. "Imedi's maintenance was inexpensive for Rukhadze, and the government regularly paid its debts, but, as it turned out, these debts were still growing rapidly. And now, when Imedi has effectively turned into a propaganda conglomerate, Rukhadze has gotten rid of his debts," Khukhashvili said.