On July 14, 2025, “Georgian Dream” Executive Secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze accused “TV Pirveli” news service head Nodar Meladze of “agency speculation.” “This question serves your agency speculation, in connection with blaming others for your crime” – Mamuka Mdinaradze told the journalist.
This was preceded by the events of July 8, when “Georgian Dream” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze linked the suicide attempt of the former head of the Adjara government to critical media “TV Pirveli” and “Formula.”
When asked who, according to his information, was accusing Tornike Rizhvadze of “corruption” and “patronage of deals” – as written in the circulated letter – Kobakhidze said: “I don’t know, there were specific television stations that were doing this. In general, the life of a person involved in politics is stressful. Including when they no longer hold a position. Countless lies are spread, there is countless insult, countless defamation. I can name specific television stations… for example, ‘TV Pirveli’, ‘Formula’” – Irakli Kobakhidze declared.
On July 10, 2025, disinformation was spread against media platform “ChaiKhana” on the broadcast of “Imedi,” a broadcaster supporting “Georgian Dream.” Specifically, the discussion was about “ChaiKhana” receiving 532,117 euros from the European Commission. Media platform “ChaiKhana” issued a statement that the story aired on “Imedi” does not correspond to the truth.
“The amount mentioned in the story, 532,117 euros, is the amount allocated for 6 beneficiary countries… Accordingly, 94% of the amount mentioned by TV company ‘Imedi,’ 532,117 euros, does not represent ChaiKhana’s budget; the mentioned amount is actually the budget of organizations operating in European Union countries. According to ChaiKhana’s information, moreover, within the framework of the project, ChaiKhana could not receive the 31,947 euros initially allocated to it, because the contract was terminated early due to the adoption of the ‘Russian law.’ Accordingly, the actual amount received by ChaiKhana is only 5,581 euros and not 31,947 euros, as TV company ‘Imedi’ claims” – the statement reads.
On July 8, 2025, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the “Georgian Dream” government attempted to discredit independent broadcasters “TV Pirveli” and “Formula.” He made a comment to the media about the alleged suicide attempt of former Chairman of the Adjara Government, Tornike Rizhvadze, according to the official version of the investigation. According to his statement, he “generally” linked the incident to opposition television stations and accused critical television stations of “defamation” and “sowing hatred.”
When asked who, according to his information, was accusing Tornike Rizhvadze of “corruption” and “patronage of drug dealers” – as written in the circulated letter – Kobakhidze said: “I don’t know, there were specific television stations that were doing this. In general, the life of a person involved in politics is stressful. Including when they no longer hold a position. Countless lies are spread, there is countless insult, countless defamation. I can name specific television stations… for example, ‘TV Pirveli’, ‘Formula’” – Irakli Kobakhidze declared.
Later, however, he denied the statement and noted that “No, I didn’t say this. I didn’t say this, of course. I gave one example. The rest should be determined by the investigation” – Kobakhidze said.
On July 3, 2025, the Communications Commission found TV companies “TV Pirveli”, “Mtavari Arkhi” and “Formula” to be violators of the law. The case concerns a complaint by “Georgian Dream” against the television stations. The party appealed to the commission on June 1 and complained about terms such as: “illegitimate parliament”, “oligarch’s regime”, “regime prisoners”, “illegitimate government”, “clan’s court” and others. The complaints submitted by “Georgian Dream” are based on amendments to Georgia’s Law on Broadcasting. These amendments were approved by parliament on April 1, as a result of which the Communications Commission’s powers were expanded.
The Media Advocacy Coalition called on the Communications Commission to be independent and a defender of free speech.
“The Commission should take into account that the public interest in critical assessment of political forces is higher. The media should have the right to give appropriate characterization and assessment to the processes taking place in the country. This is the essence of journalism” – the statement reads.
On July 15, 2025, “Georgian Dream” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused Nodar Meladze, head of the news service of independent broadcaster “TV Pirveli,” of being “financed by specific individuals.” According to the disinformation statement: “There are specific people who some think are ‘Nationals’ and in reality they are financed by specific persons who were suspected of corruption and who had to leave the team… Nodar Meladze, who receives directives from this specific group suspected of corruption regarding the dissemination of specific information.”
On July 14, “Georgian Dream” Executive Secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze also made a statement against Nodar Meladze and accused him of “agency speculation.”
On June 19, 2025, the Media Development Fund (MDF) received a court order informing them that the Anti-Corruption Bureau had launched an investigation into the organization’s activities. The Bureau is demanding a large amount of information, including the personal data of beneficiaries and partner organizations.
Documents show that one of the reasons for the court order was the publication of joint statements by non-governmental organizations about the state of media freedom and pressure on journalists. MDF has appealed the decision.
MDF is a member of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN). EFCSN issued a public statement expressing solidarity with fact-checking platforms in Georgia. The statement notes that Myth Detector (a project by MDF) operates with high standards of transparency and journalistic methodology.
In addition to MDF, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has opened proceedings against three other member organizations of the Media Advocacy Coalition: Transparency International Georgia, Civil Society Foundation, and ISFED. In total, the court has already issued orders concerning seven civil society organizations.
The Media Advocacy Coalition views the adoption of the so-called “Russian laws” as a coordinated attack on civil society organizations. The Coalition is calling on all democratic forces in Georgia—including media outlets, civil society representatives, and individual citizens—to come together in defense of media freedom and civil society.
“Protecting media freedom and civil society is the foundation of democratic liberty,” the statement reads.
On June 18, 2025, Tbilisi City Court Judge Davit Tetraul fined “TV Pirveli” host Vika Bukia 4,000 GEL for a critical comment she posted on social media directed at a Georgian Dream MP.
Vika Bukia, along with five other journalists from critical media outlets, was summoned to Tbilisi City Court on June 12. All six were accused of insulting a member of the ruling Georgian Dream government. Out of the six, the court found four journalists guilty of an administrative offense and fined them. The hearings for the remaining two—Nanuka Zhorzholiani and Vakho Sanaia—were postponed, and no verdict has yet been issued in their cases.
In all six cases, the legal basis for the complaints was a newly enacted article of the Administrative Offenses Code—Article 173¹⁶(e). This article introduces liability for actions such as verbal insult, offensive language, degrading treatment, or other forms of offensive conduct directed at political officials, public servants, or equivalent positions, committed during or in connection with their official duties. Penalties include a fine ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 GEL or up to 45 days of detention.
According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, social media posts that do not contain threats posing a real risk and are directed at politicians—who are expected to have a high tolerance for criticism—are protected under freedom of expression. “Any court interpretation contradicting this standard would set a precedent for mass censorship,” the organization said in a statement.
On June 18, Parliament initiated amendments to the Organic Law on Common Courts, which were reviewed under an accelerated procedure and adopted in the third reading on June 26. Among the changes is a ban on photo and video recording by the media during court hearings. The amendments fundamentally change the rules for media coverage of court proceedings and, in effect, make it nearly impossible for journalists to report on them. The new regulations restrict recording not only inside courtrooms but also in court yards and hallways.
Key Changes:
- Restrictions on Recording in Courts:
Photo, video, and audio recording or broadcasting is prohibited within court buildings, courtrooms, and court yards—except in cases where such actions are authorized by the court or an authorized official. Video and audio recording or broadcasting of a hearing may be allowed only if the High Council of Justice of Georgia issues a specific decision authorizing it for that particular court hearing.
- Limitations on Broadcaster Access:
The provision that previously allowed the Public Broadcaster to cover court hearings without restriction has been abolished. Under the previous rule, if the Public Broadcaster did not exercise this right, another broadcaster could record the hearing with prior written permission from the judge.
- Right to Confiscate Personal Devices:
Courts are granted the authority to confiscate mobile phones, computers, photo/video/audio equipment, and other personal items from individuals entering the court building.
- Restriction on Public Access to Court Decisions:
Court decisions will only be made public after they have entered into legal force. Any person, including the media, is prohibited from publishing decisions without depersonalization. Access to information permitted only through procedures established by the General Administrative Code of Georgia.
- Liability for Disrespecting the Court:
Any act of disrespect toward a judge—whether verbal, obscene, or otherwise—by parties, other individuals involved in the case, or any third person, in any context (courtroom or public space), if related to the judge’s status, will be subject to legal liability.
These amendments significantly undermine the principle of transparency in court proceedings and impose unjustified restrictions ont media access to open hearings, in contradiction with democratic principles of openness and accountability.
On June 18, Georgian Dream initiated amendments to the Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression, which were reviewed by Parliament under an accelerated procedure. On June 26, Parliament unanimously adopted sweeping restrictions on freedom of speech and expression. These amendments are a continuation of more than ten legislative changes introduced by Georgian Dream that either restrict previously protected human rights standards or impose stricter sanctions for various violations.
Key Changes Introduced by the Law:
- Redefinition of Defamation:
Defamation is now defined as a “substantially false and damaging statement,” with the requirement to prove harm removed. Under the current version of the law, proof of harm is essential in determining whether a statement constitutes defamation.
- Shifting the Burden of Proof:
The burden of proof in defamation cases is shifted to the defendant—the person who made the statement—who must now prove the truthfulness of the statement. Previously, this burden rested with the claimant.
- Expansion of Damage Compensation:
If the court finds that a retraction or correction is insufficient to remedy the harm caused, the defendant may be required to pay moral and/or material damages.
- Elimination of Protection Mechanisms:
The provision stating that a defendant’s refusal to disclose a source or professional secret cannot be the sole basis for a judgment against them is being abolished.
- Abolishment of “Qualified Privilege”:
The law will no longer protect individuals who made a factual error despite conducting reasonable fact-checking, acted in the public interest, or reported fairly and accurately on issues of public concern. This change is expected to especially harm critical media and journalists, particularly in cases where subjects of reports often refuse to cooperate.
- New Restrictions on Public Insult:
The law introduces content-based regulation of freedom of expression if it concerns “insults in public spaces.” Previously, only direct, face-to-face insults were legally actionable. Now, broader categories of public insult fall within the law’s scope.
- Elimination of a Key Safeguard on Privacy and Free Expression:
The clause stating that the right to privacy cannot be used as a basis to restrict freedom of expression is being removed. This safeguard previously protected the media and the public in cases where information of public interest also implicated private matters, particularly involving public officials. Its removal increases the risk of suppressing information under the pretext of protecting privacy, undermining transparency and democratic accountability
- Retroactive Enforcement:
The law includes a 100-day retroactive provision, meaning that the new regulations will apply to statements made up to 100 days before the law officially comes into force.
- Removal of a Pro-Free Expression Clause:
The following phrase will also be removed from the law: “Any doubt that cannot be resolved according to the procedures established by law must be resolved against restricting freedom of speech.”
These legislative changes significantly hinder the work of independent media, civil society, and critical citizens, and run counter to both constitutional and international human rights standards.
According to TV Formula, the Public Registry is delaying the registration of personnel changes made within the company’s executive team.
As Formula reports, the company submitted an application to the Public Registry on June 1, 2025, requesting the registration of changes to the director and supervisory board. In accordance with the Registry’s request, the registration process was temporarily suspended. On June 10, the company submitted all the additionally requested documentation. The decision was supposed to be reflected on the next working day; however, despite the legally defined deadline having passed, the National Agency of Public Registry has yet to complete the process.
Formula states that this delay is hindering the organization’s operations.
According to the TV company, on May 14, 2025, Formula’s general assembly approved the dismissal of Zurab Gumbaridze from the position of director and appointed Mikheil Mshvildadze—who owns a 38.25% stake in the company—as the new director. The former director, Zurab Gumbaridze, was elected as chairman of Formula’s supervisory board. The company is now awaiting the Public Registry’s registration of these changes.
