BBC Learning English
Words in the News
Jobs creation show criticised
31st January 2012
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012
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bbclearningenglish.com
Georgia has come up with an unusual way to create jobs at a time when countries
around the world struggle with high unemployment: a TV show. But it's sparkled criticism
that the government is using it to win votes for October's parliamentary elections. The
BBC's Damien McGuinness reports:
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 TV 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 per cent and almost a third of the population out of work,
Zaza says he's grateful for any help he can get.
