The non-governmental organization Transparency International Georgia explains what restrictions and problems the TV companies Imedi and POST TV may face following the imposition of British sanctions.

According to the information released by the organization, the TV companies will not be able to receive income from advertising, will not be able to pay salaries, will not be able to buy TV series, will have their entertainment program licenses revoked, will not be able to receive bank services, will not be able to take out loans and new financing, will not be able to sell or rent property, will not be able to purchase or rent equipment, will not be able to pay for utilities through bank transfers, and it will be difficult for employees to take out loans from banks.

“By imposing sanctions, the British government has declared Imedi and POST TV to be parties involved in the information war in favor of Russia and has set a goal of stopping their activities through financial restrictions.

The effect of the British sanctions goes beyond British jurisdiction. In order to avoid the risk of secondary sanctions and reputational damage, the entire Western world, and especially the Western financial system, comply with British sanctions. Since the Georgian banking system is part of the Western system, it is forced to obey its rules if it wants to remain in business. In this case, this means that all Georgian banks (and not just TBC and Bank of Georgia, registered on the London Stock Exchange) will refuse to provide all services to the sanctioned TV companies. Accordingly, as a result of the British sanctions, Imedi and POST TV will face the following specific problems: 1. Their accounts and the funds on their accounts in Georgian banks will be frozen. 2. They will not be able to receive any income, including income from advertising. 3. Any provider of advertising or income, whether a business or a state institution, will face the risk of secondary sanctions. 4. They will not be able to pay salaries to employees. 5. There will be grounds for investigations into money laundering and tax evasion. 6. Employees will have difficulty obtaining loans and may be denied banking services altogether. 7. Employees will have to hide their connection to Imedi and POST TV in order to avoid problems. 8. TV companies will not be able to get bank loans or other banking services. 9. They will not be able to obtain any other type of financing. 10. They will not be able to sell or rent property. 11. They will not be able to buy or rent equipment. 12. They will lose licenses to use Western entertainment programs. 13. They will no longer be able to acquire the right to broadcast foreign TV series. 14. All broadcasting-related services will be reviewed. 15. They will lose their accreditation for journalistic activities in Western countries. 16. They will be restricted from using social media / will not be able to circulate advertisements. 17. Will not be able to pay for utilities. 18. Will have difficulty receiving and paying for any other services necessary for the normal functioning of the business.

It is important to understand that any assistance in circumventing the sanctions imposed by the UK may become the basis for secondary sanctions. This is monitored on an ongoing basis by the relevant department of the UK government. The UK sanction also means that Imedi and POST TV will now become the target of worldwide surveillance by investigative journalists and other organizations working on sanctions, whose efforts will not hide the identities of those individuals and companies who help TV companies spreading Russian propaganda to circumvent sanctions. Accordingly, any Georgian company or individual must refrain from providing any funds, services or benefits to Imedi and POST TV in any form, directly or indirectly. Otherwise, all such individuals or companies will face the risk of secondary sanctions,” reads the information.