According to director Uta Beria, the Film Center is trying to restrict the screening of the film ‘Tear Gas’
According to director Uta Beria, the Georgian National Film Center sent a warning letter to the production company ahead of the world premiere of the film "Tear Gas," stating that the company would face a financial penalty if the film were screened publicly. Beria noted that the Film Center also sent a letter with similar content to the Locarno International Film Festival.
Following a repeated attack on journalist Koba Partenadze, he was placed under administrative arrest
On August 16, in Batumi's Europe Square, Adjara Public Broadcaster journalist and meteorologist Koba Partenadze was attacked again. According to Partenadze, police officers and an emergency medical service team were present at the scene.
The YouTube channel of the regional online media outlet “Sapikhvno” has been shut down.
On August 16, the regional online media outlet "Sapikhvno" announced that its YouTube channel had been deleted. The publication covers news from the high mountainous region, produces podcasts and video content, and stands out for its critical, pro-European editorial stance.
Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
The Campaign to Discredit Critical Media Continues
The Minister of Infrastructure visited the construction site of the Kvesheti-Kobi road in the Khadi Gorge together with representatives of pro-government television stations. The visit followed a journalistic investigation by Mtis Ambebi,
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
Imedi TV’s Attempt to Discredit RFERL
Imedi TV has published a post on its Facebook page that seeks to discredit Radio Tavisupleba/RFERL. The post refers to the outlet as “foreign-funded Radio Liberty” and claims that it is attempting to criticize the proposed reform of school uniforms.
ComCom Fines TV Pirveli for Second Content Violation
The Communications Commission (ComCom) has fined TV Pirveli for the second time for violating provisions of the Law on Broadcasting related to content regulation. The broadcaster was fined GEL 5,000.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze attempts to discredit independent broadcasters
On August 12, 2026, during a government briefing, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze repeatedly referred to television stations with critical editorial policies, including Formula and TV Pirveli, as “party television stations.”
Hungarian journalist Laszlo Robert Mezesi, living in Tbilisi, was forced to leave Georgia due to the threat of deportation
On August 6, 2026, Hungarian journalist Laszlo Robert Mezősz, who had been living in Tbilisi, was forced to leave Georgia following his detention by the Migration Department. Mezősz was detained on August 5. The Ministry of Internal Affairs said that he had no legal grounds to remain in Georgia and had violated the terms of his stay in the country.
