Journalists Repeatedly Face Restrictions on Access to Georgia's Parliament

02.02.2025
Georgia
Riot Police
Interference with professional duties

Incident Type:

Damage to equipment Physical injury Prohibition on filming

At a peaceful protest near Tbilisi Mall 11 journalists were unlawfully prevented from doing their jobs

On February 2, during a peaceful protest held near "Tbilisi Mall," 10 media representatives were unlawfully obstructed from carrying out their professional duties. Some journalists sustained physical injuries.

01.02.2025
Georgia
an official
Persecution based on professional grounds

Incident Type:

Discreditation

Shalva Papuashvili threatens the independent online media outlet Publika

On February 1, Shalva Papuashvili, leader of the Georgian Dream party, accused the online publication Publika of announcing the commission of a criminal offense.

14.01.2025
Adjara
Police
Persecution based on professional grounds

Incident Type:

Arrest

Founder and Director of Batumelebi detained on criminal charges

15.12.2024
Tbilisi
სამართალდამცველი
Persecution based on professional grounds

Incident Type:

Confiscation of equipment

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is not returning the equipment confiscated from the media during the coverage of protests

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is not returning the confiscated equipment to the media — "Publika," the investigative studio "Monitor," and "TV Pirveli" are awaiting its return.

08.12.2024
Georgia
Interference with professional duties

Incident Type:

Verbal abuse

The Prime Minister threatened to expel a journalist from the briefing for asking critical questions

On December 8, 2024, during a press conference at the Government Administration, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze used offensive language toward Telara Gelantia, a journalist and editor from "BMG," for asking critical questions.

07.12.2024
Georgia
Masked Individuals
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds

Incident Type:

Physical injury Physical violence

The TV Pirveli crew was physically violently attacked by masked individuals

On December 7, in Tbilisi, on Besiki Street, masked individuals violently attacked the TV Pirveli crew, journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli.

07.12.2024
Georgia
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds

Incident Type:

Arrest Physical injury Physical violence

During the coverage of the December 6-7 protest, Journnalists were detained, injured, or faced obstruction in their professional work

On December 7, in Tbilisi, on Besiki Street, masked individuals violently attacked the TV Pirveli crew, journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli.

06.12.2024
Georgia
Riot Police
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds

Incident Type:

Physical injury Physical violence

On December 5-6, two journalists had their work obstructed, and one journalist was physically assaulted

On December 6, while covering a peaceful protest near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, the riot police illegally obstructed the journalistic work of journalists from online media outlet Publika – Natia Amiranashvili and Basti Mgaloblishvili.

04.12.2024
Riot Police
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds

Incident Type:

Physical injury Physical violence

On December 3-4, 5 media representatives were injured, and their work was obstructed while covering the protest

03.12.2024
Georgia
Riot Police
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds

Incident Type:

Physical injury Physical violence

Journalists’ Safety in Georgia

Incidents

At a peaceful protest near Tbilisi Mall 11 journalists were unlawfully prevented from doing their jobs

Shalva Papuashvili threatens the independent online media outlet Publika

Founder and Director of Batumelebi detained on criminal charges

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is not returning the equipment confiscated from the media during the coverage of protests

The Prime Minister threatened to expel a journalist from the briefing for asking critical questions

The TV Pirveli crew was physically violently attacked by masked individuals

During the coverage of the December 6-7 protest, Journnalists were detained, injured, or faced obstruction in their professional work

On December 5-6, two journalists had their work obstructed, and one journalist was physically assaulted

On December 3-4, 5 media representatives were injured, and their work was obstructed while covering the protest

On December 2-3, 7 media representatives were injured, and their work was obstructed while covering the protest