Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze stated earlier today that the replacement of a Covid-19 vaccination ad with a ‘billboard of hatred‘ is categorically unacceptable, referring to anti-opposition political billboards which appeared in Georgia on September 17.
She said that ‘vaccination is a priority not only for the country but also for the world.’
I believe that in this century, which is truly the age of communication, such language is really unacceptable and people should be able to have a dialogue with each other,” Tikaradze said.
Minister Tikaradze also noted that the advertising company ALMA should have displayed more due diligence in accepting the new ad.
It's just a matter of reputation, for a high-level company like that when the country’s priorities are replaced by such hate speech banners,” stated Tikaradze.
A photo published on social media several days ago showed the replacement process of the Covid-19 vaccination banner with opposition politicians portrayed as ‘bloody.’
The billboards depicting opposition political leaders, including former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia who resigned earlier this year and the media managers of two opposition-minded TV channels Nika Gvaramia and Nodar Meladze from Mtavari Arkhi and TV Pirveli, reads: ‘No to Natsis (referring to the largest opposition United National Movement (UNM) party), No to evil, No to betrayal.’ Photo: Netgazeti.ge.
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) of Georgia called on ALMA to restore their banners, noting that the body was not notified about the change beforehand.
ALMA responded that they provided the NCDC with the space for the Covid-19 vaccination campaign free of charge, saying that ‘NCDC has not asked to continue the campaign.’