In a central London location on Pont Street, Hunnewell Partners operates discreetly above the Jeroboams wine shop. This office is the registered address of the firm, which identifies itself as an ‘entrepreneurial private equity and litigation funding practice.’ Hunnewell Partners is the ultimate owner of Imedi TV, a broadcaster criticized by the EU’s disinformation monitoring arm, which describes it as a significant pro-government propaganda channel in Georgia, allegedly undermining the country’s EU aspirations.
Imedi TV maintains that it has editorial independence and vehemently rejects accusations of promoting pro-Russian or anti-Western narratives. The station claims that EU assessments of its reporting are based on inaccuracies. The current political climate in Georgia raises questions about the country’s direction, especially regarding its sovereignty following its secession from the USSR in 1991 and its constitutional mandate to seek EU membership.
Georgia’s governing party, Georgian Dream, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, has faced allegations from Western governments and NGOs of steering the nation back into Russia’s orbit, along with accusations of corruption within its democratic institutions. Recent municipal elections scheduled for October have heightened concerns regarding the lack of independent election monitors in light of increased oppression of civil society and journalists.
Imedi TV’s role in this political landscape is viewed critically, as it serves the interests of the ruling party amid claims of authoritarianism. The British government, alongside a coalition of 36 other nations, has expressed concern regarding Georgian opposition leaders’ treatment, including imprisonment.
Hunnewell Partners’ background includes legal controversies, and its leadership has been involved in a significant court ruling for breach of fiduciary duty. The firm claims that coverage of past legal issues does not provide a comprehensive view of its operations. Its spokesperson affirmed support for independent journalism and insisted that the decision to bar journalist Will Neal from Georgia was unrelated to Hunnewell Partners.
The dynamics between the UK, Georgian politics, and Hunnewell Partners’ activities are under scrutiny, raising questions about the future of democracy in Georgia and the influence of international stakeholders.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/21/owner-of-georgian-broadcaster-called-countrys-propaganda-megaphone-is-based-in-london