Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi” | Pro-government/Propaganda television station “POSTV” | Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Rustavi 2”
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
Georgian Dream Officials and Pro-Government Media Renew Their Efforts to Discredit Studio Monitori
An investigative report published by the independent outlet Studio Monitori has been met with discrediting statements from government-affiliated businessman Vano Chkhartishvili. These statements were subsequently amplified by pro-government media in a coordinated campaign.
Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili is spreading disinformation about journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli
On September 9, 2026, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, once again spread disinformation about journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of the publications "Batumelebi" and "Netgazeti". Additionally, he again referred to her as a violent offender and called her a "prisoner of shamelessness."
A person affiliated with “Georgian Dream,” Gia Abashidze, is discrediting “Netgazeti”
A person affiliated with "Georgian Dream," Gia Abashidze, who positions himself as an expert, refers to the online publication "Netgazeti" as a "Euro-financed wall newspaper" and a propagandist for the National Movement - the media of the "Nats-bubble" and "Nats-sect."
Person Close to “Georgian Dream,” Giorgi Gamsakhurdia, Spreads Homophobic Disinformation Against Founders of “Netgazeti” and “Batumelebi”
A person close to "Georgian Dream," Giorgi Gamsakhurdia, who is a police attaché in Poland, is spreading a disinformation statement with homophobic content directed at the founders of the publications "Batumelebi" and "Netgazeti," Eter Turadze and Mzia Amaghlobeli, thereby attempting to discredit the publication.
Administrative body | Special Penitentiary Service
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Censorship
The Penitentiary Service restricted the transfer of Lasha Bughadze’s novel to a prisoner, citing it as ‘literature of unclear content’
The Special Penitentiary Service refused to deliver Lasha Bughadze's novel, The Observer (Damkvirvebeli), to inmate Nana Sander. The agency explained the refusal by citing the "ambiguity" of the book's title and the "unclear nature" of its content.
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.
Administrative body | An Individual | Ministry of Internal Affairs
Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Legal incident→Legal persecution
Physical violence
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.
Administrative body | Georgian Dream-affiliated social media page
Persecution based on professional grounds
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.
