On April 12-14, 2023, a quote attributed to “TV Formula” journalist Tiko Eradze was disseminated on Facebook (1, 2). In the quote, the journalist talks about the founder of “Formula,” Davit Kezerashvili, allegedly claiming that Kezerashvili only robbed pro-Russian European pensioners in order to finance Georgia’s European future.
The statement about Davit Kezerashvili attributed to journalist Tiko Eradze is fabricated. No quote of similar content can be found in media or any other open source. Eradze herself denied the authenticity of the quote in the comment to “Myth Detector.”
The comments section of the posts indicates that the majority of Facebook users perceive the mentioned quote as authentic, although Tiko Eradze did not make a statement of similar content. The quote cannot be found in open sources. In addition, “Myth Detector” contacted Tiko Eradze to verify the authenticity of the quote; she noted that the quote is fake and she had never voiced anything of that kind.
According to the investigative article and documentary film published by the BBC on February 12, Davit Kezerashvili, the founder of “TV Formula” is linked to the so-called network of call centre financial fraud. Kezerashvili himself denies any connection with the mentioned call centres and intends to use legal leverage to confirm the inaccuracy of the facts presented in the BBC article.
Myth Detector has identified and debunked a number of fabricated quotes and visual manipulations aimed at discrediting journalists. For more information, see our articles:
- Altered Photo of “Mtavari Arkhi” Journalist Disseminated on Facebook
- Fabricated Post in the name of Journalist Vakho Sanaia about Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (in Georgian)
- Does Vakho Sanaia ask the UN for Protection from the Italians? (in Georgian)
- “Kogarashi Urie” and “Liberastuli seni” Fabricate Journalist Quotes
About the Sources
“Journalistic Pearls” is an anonymous pro-governmental Facebook account which often publishes content aimed at discrediting the opposition. The account was also involved in the campaign in support of Bera Ivanishvili which aimed to discredit the journalists. For more details, see “Myth Detector” articles:
- Newly Created Facebook Pages and Old Trolls Rush to Protect Bera and Confront Journalists
- What is Democracy, Discreditation and Religious Propaganda “In Reality?” – Ruling Party Against Critical Opinion
Disinformation disseminated by the Facebook user Malkhaz Khabazi has been fact-checked by “Myth Detector” a number of times in the past.
The article has been written in the framework of Facebook’s fact-checking program. You can read more about the restrictions that Facebook may impose based on this article via this link. You can find information about appealing or editing our assessment via this link.
Read detailed instructions for editing the article.
Read detailed appeal instructions