Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
Sanctioned for Spreading Russian Disinformation Regarding the Full-Scale War in Ukraine, TV Imedi Attempts to Discredit Guram Rogava
On May 10, 2026, the television network Imedi, which has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom for spreading disinformation, published a discrediting post against journalist Guram Rogava. TV Imedi refers to Guram Rogava as a "propagandist for the National Movement."
Gela Mtivlishvili, journalist and editor of Mtis Ambebi, states that on May 9, he was assaulted by Giorgi Margebadze, the head of the Small and Medium Hydro Power Plants Association.
Verbal attack→Intimidation/Threats | Verbal insult · Interference→Prohibition on filming
Journalists from “Adjara Times” and “Batumelebi” Obstructed from Performing Their Duties in Khelvachauri
On May 7, in Khelvachauri, Sulkhan Meskhidze, the founder of Adjara Times, and Lela Dumbadze, a journalist for Batumelebi, were obstructed from performing their professional duties, allegedly by public officials. The individuals verbally abused the journalists. According to the journalists, there were also threats and attempts at physical retaliation.
TV Formula Journalist Eliso Jariashvili Summoned to Prosecutor’s Office for Questioning
The Prosecutor's Office has summoned Eliso Jariashvili, a journalist and TV host for the television network Formula, for questioning. As the journalist explained, the investigative agency requested her questioning following a report she aired on Formula. Specifically, Jariashvili had prepared an investigative report regarding an assault on journalist Guram Rogava, which took place during the mass protests in November 2024. As it is known, Formula reportedly uncovered the identity of the attacker. According to the online publication Netgazeti, the network states that the identity of Guram Rogava’s attacker was revealed by an employee of the Special Tasks Department.
On May 1, Ekho Kavkaza, the Russian-language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) which actively covered issues related to the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, suspended its operations. The media outlet released a statement regarding the decision on May 3.
“TV Pirveli” views statements from the Prosecutor’s Office and “Georgian Dream” MPs as an attempt to pressure the investigative journalists of “Shabatis Eteri”
A report aired on April 25 by "TV Pirveli’s" investigative program, "Shabatis Eteri" (Saturday Broadcast), was followed by a series of statements directed against the television company. The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia accuses the station of spreading disinformation.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
UK-Sanctioned Imedi TV Accuses Critical Outlet TV Pirveli of Manipulation
On April 24, TV Imedi a broadcaster sanctioned by the United Kingdom for spreading Russian disinformation published a social media post accusing the critical news outlet TV Pirveli of manipulation. The post concerns a report by TV Pirveli claiming that 60% of those granted Georgian citizenship in 2025 were Russian citizens.
Court Dismisses Mzia Amaghlobeli’s Lawsuit Against Irakli Kobakhidze
On April 24, Tbilisi City Court Judge Liana Kazhashvili dismissed the case filed by Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of Batumelebi/Netgazeti, against Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Amaghlobeli, who is currently in custody, alleged that Kobakhidze’s televised statements constituted defamation, violated the presumption of innocence, and damaged her honor and dignity.
