| In a small room at the back of a draughty, crumbling warehouse, Zaza Janezashvili carefully feeds coloured thread into a huge creaking machine. A few minutes later a bright yellow sock pops out. He's now able to buy new machinery to expand production ten-fold. And it's all thanks to reality TV. He won a low-rate loan on Georgia's latest television hit. In the programme, its host, the mayor of Tbilisi, a possible successor to President Saakashvili, shows off local building projects. He then decides which entrepreneur deserves to win a government-backed low-interest loan. Critics, such as political scientist Koba Turmanidze, say this is political propaganda masquerading as reality TV. Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava denies using television to win votes. But all three national channels are pro-government. Some reporters fear losing their jobs if they are too critical. Politicians handing out loans on TV may seem like electioneering but with interest rates over 20% and almost 1/3 of the population out of work, Zaza says he's grateful for any help he can get. |
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