The Intelligence Impact of the Newspapers at «Georgia Mail» and “The Trans-Caucasian Post” on the Political and Military Security of the Democratic Republic of Georgia

Abstract

The press has been and continues to be a key instrument for the implementation of «soft power». One of the primary objectives of intelligence operations, apart from the acquisition of information, is the dissemination of misinformation and propaganda. This practice, which was initially employed through printed media in the early 20th century, posed a significant threat. Governments responded by implementing measures to combat this threat, including the closure of newspapers and censorship within the country. Propaganda efforts were then directed towards audiences, serving the interests of specific parties.

In the case of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, there is virtually no government censorship. This situation occurred since the country was unable to administratively control certain regions, such as Adjara and Meskhetia, which allowed foreign intelligence services to operate freely, including disseminating disinformation and engaging in propaganda activities.

The objective of our research is to examine the role of the press(«The Georgian Mail») in Georgia during the period from 1919 to 1921 as a tool for political propaganda and the dissemination of false information. To confirm our position, we selected Georgian-language newspapers («Government of Georgia», «Georgia», «Unity», «The People's Cause»).

The findings of this research have significant implications for the development of textbooks on international relations and historical studies.