Alt-Info logo

Alt-Info is a private TV Company and online information portal in the country of Georgia.^[1] It was founded in 2019 as a right-wing conservative media platform to "counter aggressive liberal censorship". Alt-Info was granted an authorisation by Georgian National Communications Commission in November 2020.^[2] It launched TV broadcasting in January 2021.^[3]

Alt-Info Ltd. was founded by Shota Martinenko and Tsiala Morgoshia in January 2019, who each own half of the company's shares.^[4] Members of Alt-Info participated in organization of several demonstrations and protests, including the protests against Tbilisi Pride in 2021.^[5] One of the sponsors of Alt-Info is Konstantine Morgoshia, a businessman who was founding member of Georgian March and Alliance of Patriots. In November 2021 members of Alt-Info established a political party called Conservative Movement. The party was officially registered by the National Agency of Public Registry on 7 December.^[6] Members of Alt-Info were also involved in founding of the non-profit (non-commercial) legal entity Alternative for Georgia in 2019.^[4]

The platform describes as its main goal to "overcome aggressive censorship imposed by the ideological mainstream and supply audience with as complete and objective information as possible".^[7]

On 5 November 2020 Facebook stated that it removed network connected to Alt-Info for "coordinated inauthentic behaviour".^[8] Its official website was attacked and shut down by hackers on 1 March 2022.^[9]

Conservative Movement/Alt Info

Conservative Movement/Alt Info კონსერვატიული მოძრაობა/ალტ ინფო
Chairman	Giorgi Kardava
General Secretary	Shota Martynenko
Founder	Zurab Makharadze Giorgi Kardava Irakli Martynenko Shota Martynenko Konstantine Morgoshia
Founded	20 November 2021 (2021-11-20)
Registered	7 December 2021 (2021-12-07)
Ideology	National conservatism Christian democracy[10] Right-wing populism Hard Euroscepticism Pro-Russian
Political position	Right-wing
Colours	Maroon
Parliament	0 / 150
Website
conservativemovement.ge alt-info.ge
Politics of Georgia (country) Political parties Elections

Members of Alt-Info founded a political party in late 2021. The party was named Conservative Movement (Georgian: კონსერვატიული მოძრაობა, romanized: k'onservat'iuli modzraoba), which was registered by the National Public Registry Agency on December 7. The founding congress was held on November 20, 2021. On April 11, 2022, the name of the party was changed to Conservative Movement/Alt Info (Georgian: კონსერვატიული მოძრაობა/ალტ-ინფო, romanized: k'onservat'iuli modzraoba/alt'-inpo). The members of the party declared as its main goals to build an alternative party to both the governing Georgian Dream and opposition United National Movement, two largest and most influential forces in the Georgian politics, establish christian democracy instead of liberal democracy in Georgia, and pursue closer relations with Russia.^[11] It views Georgia's socio-economic problems as relating to Georgia's strained relationship with the Russian Federation. The party maintains that Georgia can restore its control over the lost territories (Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which enjoy de facto independence from Georgia with the support of Russian military) only through normalization of relations with Russia and claims that Georgia would benefit more from being an ally of Russia and joining the Eurasian Economic Union. In contrast, joining the European Union and NATO are not only unfeasible (because of unwillingness of NATO and EU to confront Russia because of Georgia, illustrated by the passiveness of them during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War), but also dangerous objectives. According to the party, the West is promoting liberal ideology in Georgia which is pervasive, globalist and anti-Christian, threatening the Georgian identity. On the other hand, the Christian Russia is natural ally of Georgia in preservation of Christian identity.

The party has not participated in any election yet.

On July 2, 2022, the party organized the demonstration against the gay parade and European integration in response to a pro-EU demonstration in Tbilisi asking the European Council to grant Georgia the status of a candidate for accession.^[12]

Alt-Info has been distinguished from similar movements by its readiness to use violence in order to achieve political goals. Its leader Zura Makharadze stated that 'I can and plan to defend my values, including with force [...] I am ready to act with force against this [gay parade]'. According to the movement, it is justified to use violence to combat "decadent liberalism" which threatens Georgian nation.^[13][14]

The party opposes liberal democracy. According to the party, liberal principles suppress the democratic will of majority in favor of the minorities. For example, they allow gay parades to take place despite the fact that such demonstrations go against the will and traditions of the majority of population. Instead, the party supports christian democracy in which the rule of the majority is constrained with the Christian ethics instead of liberal principles, allowing more genuine expression of the will of the entire population. Konstantine Morgoshia, one of the sponsors and founding members of the party, has stated in interview to Vice that he 'does not believes in democracy [meaning Western liberal democracy]' and that his movement 'will change many laws' when it will rise to power.

The party's economic policy is protectionist. It supports the nationalization of natural resources and the protection of local production.

It has been seen as paralleling a rise of alt-right in the Western countries due its use of similar rhetoric.^[3]

References