Persecution for expressing critical position

Communications Commission Announces Practical Enforcement of Norms Established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters

The Communications Commission has announced that starting next week—March 9—it will begin the practical enforcement of the norms established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters and will initiate monitoring of broadcasters.

The initiative to activate monitoring of the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters and the Law on Broadcasting was adopted by ComCom shortly after the United Kingdom sanctioned the government-affiliated propaganda outlets Imedi and POSTV. The agency considers that the sanctioning of these television stations is “aimed both at restricting fair competition among mass media outlets and hindering the professional activities of journalists, which could pose a threat to media pluralism and freedom of speech in the country.”

The Communications Commission cites the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters, stating that these acts mandate the Commission to ensure the protection of objectivity standards in the media. According to their statement, despite the existence of the law, for nearly a year the Commission has only responded to complaints and has not initiated administrative proceedings against broadcasters on its own under this law.

“Given the above and based on the analysis of the challenges in the media environment, we consider it necessary for the Commission to bring into practice the norms established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters starting next week. This is to ensure that the objectivity of broadcasters is assessed based on proper procedures and high legal standards,” the statement reads.

Last year, “Georgian Dream” passed repressive amendments to the Law on Broadcasting. These changes relate to the regulation of broadcaster content. According to the amendments:

The expression of opinion is restricted in news programs as well as during the coverage of other public policy issues (excluding author programs);
A person against whom accusations have been made in a program must be given the opportunity to provide a timely and proper response. The response must be covered fairly and accurately;
The law defines all instances in which obtaining and/or transmitting information using undercover methods is justified; additionally, a standard for undercover recording on private property was established.

The Media Advocacy Coalition has responded to the statement released by the Communications Commission, believing that it contains clear signals regarding potential pressure and threats against independent media. “It is particularly problematic that the Commission, which by law should be an independent regulator and a guarantor of media freedom, creates the impression with its own statement that it is ready to use regulatory mechanisms as an instrument for evaluating and controlling the editorial activities of the media,” the statement says.

The Charter of Journalistic Ethics urges the National Communications Commission to refrain from evaluating content-related issues that fall within the scope of editorial independence and which, according to Georgian tradition and international practice, are subjects of self-regulation. Any other approach, even if based on the recent controversial changes to the Law on Broadcasting, will be viewed by the journalistic community as an attempt to impose censorship and a gross interference in the editorial independence of broadcasters.

Pro-Government Channels “Imedi,” “Rustavi 2,” and “POSTV” Discredit and Stigmatize Independent Online Media

Pro-government television stations—Imedi, Rustavi 2, and POSTV—are labeling independent online publications Netgazeti, Publika, and On.ge as anti-Georgian media, discrediting and stigmatizing them because these outlets refer to high-ranking officials as the “Georgian Dream” Prime Minister and Minister.

All three channels published nearly identical text on social media, accompanied by a short screenshot of a text prepared by these online media outlets regarding the visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Georgia.

“So-called online media outlets funded by foreign countries refer to Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister, while referring to Irakli Kobakhidze and Maka Bochorishvili as the ‘Georgian Dream’ Prime Minister and Minister,” states Rustavi 2, referring to the online outlets as “so-called” media. POSTV also places the term online media in quotation marks: “The anti-Georgian policy of ‘online media’ funded from abroad: publications refer to Nikol Pashinyan as the Prime Minister of Armenia, while referring to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Georgia as the ‘Georgian Dream’ Prime Minister and Minister.” Imedi goes even further, calling these publications tools of hybrid warfare: “Another anti-Georgian act by the anti-Georgian online ‘media’ in Georgia—all three tools of hybrid warfare refer to Nikol Pashinyan as the Armenian Prime Minister, while referring to Irakli Kobakhidze and Maka Bochorishvili as the ‘Georgian Dream’ Prime Minister and Minister.”

Notably, all three channels published this visual material almost simultaneously on the same day that “Georgian Dream” passed the law in its third and final reading, which made the “systemic non-recognition of Georgian Dream” a criminal offense.

Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Appeal of Mzia Amaghlobeli, Founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti”

On March 4, 2026, it was revealed that the Supreme Court of Georgia refused to hear the appeal of the imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder and director of the publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti. The court’s refusal to accept the appeal for consideration, or declaring it inadmissible, means that the court will not review the merits of the case at all and leaves the Court of Appeals’ decision in force. With this step, the judicial review of Mzia Amaghlobeli’s case in Georgia has concluded across all court instances.

Mzia Amaghlobeli was arrested twice during the protest rally in Batumi on the night of January 11-12, 2025. She was initially detained for placing a protest sticker on the wall of an auxiliary storage room at the Batumi Police Department, which read: “Georgia is Striking.” Police officers removed the sticker immediately after it was posted. A few hours after her arrest, Mzia Amaghlobeli was released on her own recognizance, but she was soon arrested again for slapping the head of the Batumi Police, Irakli Dgebuadze. An investigation was launched against the journalist under the first part of Article 353-prime of the Criminal Code. Mzia Amaghlobeli had been placed in pretrial detention as a preventative measure. On August 6, 2025, Judge Nino Sakhelashvili of the Batumi City Court reclassified the charges against Mzia Amaghlobeli under the first part of Article 353 and sentenced her to two years in prison.

“Georgian Dream” Passes Legislative Amendments Regarding Foreign Funding and “Non-Recognition of Government” in Final Reading

On January 28 and February 16, 2026, “Georgian Dream” initiated a package of legislative amendments concerning the Law on Grants, the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Offenses, and the Law on Political Associations of Citizens. On March 4, during a plenary session, “Georgian Dream” passed these changes in the third and final reading.

The adopted amendments significantly tighten regulations regarding foreign funding and expand the definition of a “grant” to include financial as well as in-kind resources and technical assistance that could be used to influence Georgia’s political processes. The bill also imposes additional restrictions on political activity, including prohibiting employees of organizations receiving foreign funding from holding membership in political parties and increasing accountability for so-called “external lobbying.”

The legislative package also included changes to the Criminal Code, according to which the systemic non-recognition of the government and public, systematic calls for mass violation of legislation, disobedience toward government bodies, or the creation of alternative government bodies become punishable offenses. The law will enter into force immediately upon its official publication.

Lika Basilaia-Shavgulidze was verbally insulted by a member of the Public Broadcaster’s board.

On February 26, 2026, at a Public Broadcaster board meeting, Lika Basilaia-Shavgulidze was verbally insulted by board member Gia Iakobashvili.

“Are you not putting the work and functioning of the Public Broadcaster at risk with this statement?” Lika Basilaia-Shavgulidze asked the board chairman of the Public Broadcaster, Vasil Maghlaperidze.

Lika Basilaya-Shavugilidze’s question concerned Vasil Maghlaperidze’s initiative; he wanted the board to express support for the television channels sanctioned by the United Kingdom.

On February 24, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the pro-government television companies “Imedi” and “Postv” for spreading disinformation about Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.

The chairman of the Public Broadcaster Supervisory Board, Vasil Maghlaperidze, and board member Bondo Mdinarishvili publicly expressed support for the sanctioned channels.

Public Broadcaster Cuts Salary of Human Resources Projects Manager

On February 24, the Public Broadcaster reduced the February salary of Ketevan Sinitsa, Human Resources Projects Manager of the Human Resources Management Department, by 30 percent “for disseminating incorrect information in the public space that damages the employer’s reputation.” In the event of a repeat violation, she was threatened with dismissal.

According to an order issued by Tinatin Berdzenishvili, a disciplinary sanction was imposed on Ketevan Sinitsa for sharing a Facebook post by a dismissed employee of the Public Broadcaster, Kakha Melikidze, citing violations of the “Rules for the Use of Social Networks” and provisions of the Broadcasters’ Code of Conduct.

In 2025, employees critical of the channel were dismissed from the First Channel of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, including Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, journalist and anchor of the news program “Moambe,” and Nino Zautashvili, author and host of the socio-political program “Realuri Sivrtse.”

The channel’s management reportedly adopted a negative stance toward director Kakha Melikidze after he publicly accused the broadcaster’s leadership of pressuring him to frequently show officials of “Georgian Dream,” including Irakli Kobakhidze, during broadcasts of national team football matches.

The cameraman of the Public Broadcaster was verbally warned

The Director General of the Public Broadcaster, Tinatin Berdzenishvili, issued a reprimand to Givi Chimakadze, a studio operator in the Technical and Technology Operations Group, for disseminating a statement on social media.

Tinatin Berdzenishvili also warned Givi Chimakadze about possible dismissal from his job “in the event of a similar and/or other type of violation.”

Information about the order was disseminated via social media by “Guardians of the Public Broadcaster.” The document, signed by Tinatin Berdzenishvili, is dated February 11.

In 2025, employees critical of the channel were dismissed from the First Channel of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, including Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, a journalist and anchor of the news program “Moambe,” Nino Zautashvili, author and host of the socio-political program “Realuri Sivrtse,” and director Kakha Melikidze. The channel’s management reportedly adopted a negative stance toward Melikidze after he publicly exposed the broadcaster’s leadership. According to Melikidze, the management pressured him to frequently show officials of “Georgian Dream,” including Irakli Kobakhidze, during broadcasts of national team football matches.

Attempt to Discredit Journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani

On February 12, POST TV Analitika disseminated visual material about journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani via social media, aimed at damaging her professional reputation and discrediting her. The content and format of the material contain degrading messages that go beyond the standards of expression permissible within the bounds of public interest and indicate an attempt to discredit the journalist.

A week earlier, an attempt to discredit Nanuka Zhorzholiani was also made by Georgian Dream MP Tea Tsulukiani, who shared an AI-generated image along with a text written in offensive language, falsely depicting her as being photographed with the American financier Epstein, who was convicted of pedophilia.

“Georgian Dream” Announces New Repressive Legislative Amendments

On 28 January, following a meeting of the parliamentary majority of Georgian Dream, it was announced that the party intends to initiate a new legislative package during the spring session. The package will include amendments to the Law on Grants, the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Offences, and the Law on Political Associations of Citizens.

Based on information presented at a public briefing, the proposed amendments aim to strengthen state control over foreign funding and would significantly restrict the activities of civil society, political actors, media organizations, and the business sector.

Amendments to the Law on Grants

The proposed amendments substantially broaden the definition of a grant. Nearly any monetary or in-kind resource that is used, or may be used, to influence Georgia’s domestic politics, state institutions, or public processes would fall under this definition, including activities linked to foreign political interests or relationships. Receiving such grants would require prior approval from the Government of Georgia.

The draft law also introduces a category of foreign legal entities whose activities are deemed to involve issues related to Georgia. These entities, including branches and representative offices of non-resident organizations, would be permitted to receive funding only with prior government consent. Receiving grants without approval would trigger criminal liability for legal entities and administrative fines for branches and representative offices amounting to twice the value of the grant.

The amendments also cover technical assistance: the provision of knowledge, expertise, consulting, or technology – whether paid or unpaid – financed from foreign sources would be treated as a grant and subject to government approval. This regulation would also apply to the engagement of foreign experts.

In addition, the changes would apply retroactively to grants already received but not yet used. Grant recipients would be required to seek government approval within one month; until approval is granted, the use of such grants would be prohibited, and failure to comply would result in criminal liability.

Amendments to the Criminal Code

The scope of criminal liability is significantly expanded. A new criminal offence is introduced for violations of the Law on Grants, including unlawful cooperation with foreign organizations or foreign individuals. Violations would be punishable by a fine, community service, or imprisonment of up to six years.

The offence of money laundering is further aggravated where the conduct is linked to influencing political issues related to Georgia, carrying a penalty of nine to twelve years’ imprisonment.

Criminal liability is also introduced for political party leaders in cases involving the receipt of foreign funding, as well as for so-called external lobbying, punishable by imprisonment of up to six years or community service.

Amendments to the Law on Political Associations of Citizens

Political party membership would be prohibited for eight years for individuals employed by organizations whose annual income includes more than 20% foreign funding. The draft law defines both “foreign power” and “organizations carrying foreign interests,” including non-profit organizations and media outlets whose non-commercial income exceeds 20% from foreign sources. As a result, a large number of individuals employed in civil society and the media would effectively be excluded from political party membership.

The State Audit Office would be granted authority to monitor the financial activities of political party members, including access to the accounts of ordinary members. The amendments would also apply to individuals deemed by the authorities to have declared political objectives, regardless of formal party affiliation, potentially bringing a wide range of civil activists under these regulations.

Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences

A new administrative offence is introduced for business entities engaging in public political activities unrelated to their core commercial activities. Violations would result in fines of GEL 20,000, increasing to GEL 40,000 in cases of repeated offences. The definition of political activity under the draft law is broad and may encompass virtually any form of civic action or criticism of public authorities, creating a risk that lawful civic engagement could be subject to legal restrictions.

Overall, the broad and vague expansion of the concept of a grant, the requirement for prior government approval, the tightening of criminal and administrative sanctions, and the application of these rules to broadly defined groups create a legal framework that grants the state wide discretion. These changes would significantly restrict civic space and undermine freedom of expression, association, political participation, and civic engagement, in tension with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards.

The proposed legislation continues a broader pattern of restrictive laws introduced by Georgian Dream over the past two years, which have been widely criticized by local and international experts as measures targeting media freedom, civil society, and activism.

Tbilisi City Council Member Attempts to Discredit Independent Media

Tbilisi City Council member Konstantine Zarnadze of “Georgian Dream” accuses independent media outlets of “psychological terror, sowing disorder and fear.”

“It is impossible to ignore the psychological terror that opposition media carry out on a daily basis… This is no longer journalism; this is manipulation of people’s psyche. Their goal is to create a constant sense of tension, to sow disorder and fear in society, and to instill complete hopelessness about the future,” the council member said in response to reports by critical media outlets about food prices.

Representatives of “Georgian Dream” systematically engage in the public discrediting of independent media and journalists, with the aim of undermining them in the eyes of the public.