Safety of journalists in Georgia

Incidents

  • 24.10.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Unidentified
  • Risk of media outlet closure
Incident Type:
Restriction of media distribution

A portion of Formula TV viewers experienced an interruption in the channel’s broadcast

On October 24, Formula TV released a statement regarding the partial suspension of the channel's broadcast.
  • 23.10.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Georgian Technical University
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Legal incident

The Georgian Technical University is threatening to sue “Studio Monitor” following the publication of a journalistic investigation

On October 23, "Studio Monitor" published a journalistic investigation concerning the Georgian Technical University (GTU). Investigative journalists obtained the State Audit Office's preliminary report on the university, which revealed that in 2018, GTU purchased Austrian equipment worth 25 million GEL. Eight years later, the equipment is still sitting in containers.
  • 22.10.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Court
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Legal incident→Detention/Arrest

“Asaval-Dasavali” journalist Dito Chubinidze was arrested

On October 22, Asaval-Dasavali journalist Dito Chubinidze was arrested on charges of sabotage. According to the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia, since February 2026, Chubinidze had systematically spread false reports and disinformation regarding the transfer of part of the David Gareji monastery complex to Azerbaijan. The agency claims these actions constituted intentional sabotage and hindered the normal functioning of the government commission for the delimitation and demarcation of the state border.
  • 19.10.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Georgian Orthodox Church
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting

The head of the Public Relations Service of the Patriarchate of Georgia releases a statement against the Charter of Journalistic Ethics

The head of the service, Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, published a lengthy letter on his Facebook page in which he criticizes the "Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics" and accuses it of bias.
  • 19.10.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Court
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Legal incident→Detention/Arrest
Verbal attack→Discrediting

Journalist and TV anchor Vakho Sanaia has been detained for one month

On October 19, police detained journalist Vakho Sanaia, anchor of the main news broadcast for the Formula TV channel, near his home. By a decision of a Tbilisi City Court judge, the journalist was sentenced to 30 days of administrative detention.
  • 19.10.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Unidentified
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Cyber Attack

“Studio Monitori” is under a bot attack

According to a statement from the investigative media outlet "Studio Monitori," a bot attack took place on their Instagram page on the night of October 19.
  • 19.10.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Pro-government/Propaganda television station “POSTV”
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting

“POSTV” attempts to discredit Nino Zhizhilashvili and Inga Grigolia over statements supporting Vakho Sanaia

"POSTV," a television channel known for its pro-government and anti-Western rhetoric, is conducting a smear campaign on social media against Nino Zhizhilashvili and Inga Grigolia, leading journalists of the independent broadcasters "Formula" and "TV Pirveli."
  • 13.10.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Interference

The Patriarchate will not grant accreditation to Formula and TV Pirveli to cover Mtskhetoba

The Georgian Patriarchate will not grant accreditation to journalists from the television channels Formula and TV Pirveli to cover the Mtskhetoba holiday.
  • 13.10.2026
  • Georgian Dream Party
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:

Tea Tsulukiani also won the defamation lawsuit against Nanuka Zhorzholiani in the Supreme Court

Tea Tsulukiani also won the defamation lawsuit against TV host Nanuka Zhorzholiani in the Supreme Court.
  • 12.10.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Administrative body
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Legal incident→Legal persecution

The court upheld the decision revoking the Georgian residence permit of French photographer Francis Prymerski

The court upheld the Public Service Development Agency's decision revoking the short-term temporary residence permit of Francis Prymerski, a French photographer and videographer living in Georgia.
GE / EN

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