Risk of media outlet closure

The Communications Commission Initiated Administrative Proceedings Against TV Company “Caucasus” Over Donations Received from the USA

According to Nino Jangirashvili, head of TV company “Caucasus,” the Communications Commission has initiated administrative proceedings against the broadcaster on the basis of an individual donation received from the USA. At the Commission’s request, the broadcaster must provide detailed information about the received funds and the corresponding documentation within 3 working days.

With the amendments made to the “Broadcasting Law” in 2025, foreign funding of broadcasters was completely prohibited, and the regulator’s powers were significantly expanded, including mechanisms for access to financial information. In parallel, the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” has been in effect since 2024. These regulations have had a substantial impact on media funding models, resulting in several broadcasters continuing to operate, including by relying on donations from citizens.

According to Nino Jangirashvili, TV company “Caucasus,” given the legislative environment in the country, uses citizen donations as one of its main sources of funding and ensures broadcasting continuity based precisely on this model. Such income is generally used to cover operational expenses necessary for the daily functioning of the channel, making it practically impossible to specify the exact purpose of any particular donation.

This case clearly reflects the environment in which media operates against the backdrop of legislative changes, while the regulator’s initiation of proceedings based on individual donations raises additional questions regarding the proportionality of regulatory practices.

“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.

The Communications Commission issued a verbal warning to ‘Radio Marneuli’

On January 22, the Communications Commission issued a written warning to “Radio Marneuli” over receiving a grant. The Commission’s decision was based on the repressive amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, which prohibit media outlets from receiving grants from donor organizations.

The Commission’s statement noted that the media outlet had received a grant of 32,542 GEL from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

“The funds were received as part of a grant project and did not fall under the exceptions defined by the Law on Broadcasting, such as commercial advertising, teleshopping, sponsorship, or product placement in programming,” the statement said.

This is the second warning issued to “Radio Marneuli.”

In the first case, the Commission had warned the media outlet over a grant received from Deutsche Welle.

A series of repressive laws were passed by the Parliament under the ruling party, Georgian Dream, including a provision effective from April 1, 2025, banning direct or indirect funding of broadcasters from “foreign forces.”

The amendments were immediately criticized by civil society and independent media, as the provision could be used as a tool to restrict the financial and editorial independence of independent media.

The TV channel Euronews Georgia will no longer cover news from Georgia

The TV channel Euronews Georgia is changing its format and, starting in 2026, will no longer cover news from Georgia. In an official statement, the channel linked this decision to financial resources.

“Analysis of the financial situation revealed that, given the trends in the television advertising market in Georgia, the current broadcasting model of the channel cannot generate sufficient financial resources to cover the channel’s operating expenses and the financial obligations under the franchise agreement with Euronews SA. Considering the above factors, a decision has been made, within the company’s strategic development framework, to transition the channel to a new format,” the statement said.

According to the same statement, under the updated model, the main focus will be on international content adapted for the Georgian audience.

Euronews Georgia was founded in 2019 by the international channel Euronews and its partner Silknet. The chairman of Silknet’s supervisory board is businessman Giorgi Ramishvili. The channel began broadcasting in Georgia in 2020. In the past two years, seven media outlets in Georgia have ceased operations for various reasons.

TV Pirveli journalist Giorgi Mamniashvili was detained while carrying out his professional duties

On November 22, during a protest in Tbilisi, near Ingorokva Street, “TV Pirveli” journalist Giorgi Mamniashvili was detained. According to the television company, the journalist was performing his professional duties at the time of his arrest and was covering the protest. For several hours, the “TV Pirveli” newsroom was unable to get in touch with him.

At the moment of his detention, Mamniashvili was filming the police arresting other protesters on his mobile phone and sending the footage to the newsroom, when officers attempted to seize his phone. Shortly after, they ordered his arrest. In the video recorded by Mamniashvili, he can be heard telling the police that he is a journalist and is carrying out his professional duties.

According to the journalist’s lawyer, after the arrest, Mamniashvili was treated in a degrading and humiliating manner at the Dighomi pre-trial detention facility. Specifically, for several hours, his hands were cuffed behind his back, he was fully stripped, and forced to perform so-called “squats.”

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze described the practice of strip-searching detainees upon admission to the detention facility as “a required procedure to document any possible injuries.” Public Defender Levan Ioseliani, however, calls the strip-searching of detainees “degrading and humiliating treatment.”

“The case of Giorgi Mamniashvili is a clear example of the repressive policies of Georgian Dream, aimed at restricting independent media and silencing critical voices,” the Media Advocacy Coalition stated.

Communications Commission begins enforcing new media regulations

On October 9, 2025, the Communications Commission issued a written warning to the television broadcasters “Formula” and “Formula Multimedia”, as well as the radio broadcasters “Journalists’ Union Khalkis Khma”, “Radio-TV Nori” and “Systema Gama” and ordered them to cease receiving funding from foreign powers for violating the Law of Georgia “On Broadcasting”.

According to the Commission’s statement: “Based on the fact that the broadcasters have received the above-mentioned funding after the law was amended and funding from foreign powers was prohibited, and the funding cannot be used in exceptional cases specified by law (commercial advertising, teleshopping, sponsorship or product placement in the program)”, the Commission considered the broadcasters to be violators of the law.

This is the first precedent for the enforcement of the law, which concerns the new regulation included in the Law on Broadcasting, which prohibits direct or indirect funding of a broadcaster from a foreign power from April 1, 2025. Since the date of adoption, the amendments have caused public discussion and criticism, in particular, assessments that the new norm may become a tool for restricting the financial and editorial freedom of independent media. During the session, representatives of radio broadcasters noted that without the aforementioned funding, they may have to stop broadcasting.

The Revenue Service has imposed a lien on the bank accounts of Batumelebi

On July 21, 2025, it was announced that Georgia’s Revenue Service had frozen the bank accounts of the media outlet Batumelebi. According to the organization, while the official reason given was debt, they believe the true intention is to shut down the media outlet.

According to media reports, the Revenue Service gave Batumelebi a five-day deadline to pay off the debt, warning that if they failed to do so, their accounts would be frozen, followed by seizure of property. The National Enforcement Bureau would then step in to sell the organization’s assets — including their office and editorial equipment.

Batumelebi reports that their current debt to the state includes a principal amount of 47,000 GEL, a penalty interest of 126,000 GEL, and a fine of 109,000 GEL. The outlet had acknowledged the debt and had been making monthly payments toward it. After receiving the threat of asset seizure, Batumelebi officially requested a payment schedule from the Revenue Service — an option allowed under the Tax Code — but their request was denied. On July 17, their accounts were frozen.

Batumelebi considers this action to be yet another form of pressure against the outlet and a step toward its closure. For over six months now, the founder and media manager of the outlet, Mzia Amaghlobeli, has been in detention. She is facing 4 to 7 years in prison for allegedly assaulting a police officer — the charge stems from an incident where she reportedly slapped the head of Batumi’s police. Her trial is nearing its end, with the final hearing — during which Judge Nino Galustashvili will announce the verdict — scheduled for August 1.

“The account freeze and the other measures planned in the coming week are clearly aimed at breaking Mzia Amaghlobeli — and ultimately, at dismantling the independent media organization she founded,” Batumelebi said in a statement. “One clear example confirms this: according to official data from May 21, 2025, the TV company Imedi owes 17 million GEL to the state, while Rustavi 2 owes 25 million GEL. Yet neither has faced such enforcement actions.”

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has also labeled this incident as pressure on the media. The Charter has urged the Revenue Service to lift the account freeze and offer Batumelebi a repayment plan. Another group, the Coalition for Media Advocacy, also condemned the move, calling it part of a broader campaign by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, against independent journalism and media.

International human rights organization Amnesty International also responded, stating:
“The independent Georgian outlet Batumelebi had its accounts frozen after allegations of police violence emerged against its founder, Mzia Amaghlobeli, who is currently unlawfully detained and facing a flawed trial. Amnesty calls for a full investigation into all allegations of police abuse.”

Update (July 22):
Following widespread public outcry — both locally and from international media organizations — the Revenue Service offered Batumelebi a payment plan and agreed to lift the account freeze. That same day, thanks to a major campaign by readers and supporters, Batumelebi managed to raise funds to cover the principal part of their debt.

The Revenue Service has placed a lien on the accounts of the publication ‘Batumelebi’

On July 21, 2025, it became known that the Revenue Service had placed a lien on the accounts of the publication Batumelebi. According to the organization, the official reason is debt, but the real reason is the intention to shut down the media organization.

According to media reports, the agency gave them a five-day deadline to pay the debt; otherwise, the accounts would be subjected to a lien, after which the property would be seized and the National Bureau of Enforcement would begin the enforcement process — selling the organization’s assets, including its office and editorial technical equipment.

According to the publication, at this stage their debt to the budget — the principal amount — is 47,000 GEL, with interest adding 126,000 GEL and a fine of 109,000 GEL. Batumelebi had acknowledged its debt to the state and had been making monthly payments to cover it. After the threat of a lien, Batumelebi officially contacted the Revenue Service and requested a payment schedule (the Tax Code allows debt to be paid in installments), but they were refused. On July 17, Batumelebi’s accounts were subjected to a lien.

The publication perceived this action as another attempt to pressure them and as an effort to shut down the media outlet. For more than six months, the founder and media manager, Mazia Amaglobeli, has been in detention. She is accused of assaulting a police officer for slapping the chief of Batumi police and faces 4 to 7 years in prison. Her trial is nearing its conclusion, with the final session — where Judge Nino Galustashvili will announce the verdict — scheduled for August 1.

“The lien and all other operations planned in the past week are aimed at breaking Mazia Amaglobeli and, in the long term, destroying the media organization she founded. A simple confirmation of this is one example: according to official information from the Revenue Service on May 21, 2025, TV company Imedi owes 17 million GEL to the budget. Rustavi 2 owes 25 million GEL to the budget,” the organization stated.

The “Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics” also assessed the incident as pressure on the media. The charter urges the Revenue Service to lift the lien on the publication’s accounts and to provide a schedule for debt repayment. Batumelebi’s case is part of a systemic campaign carried out by the Georgian Dream party against independent journalism and media, according to a statement by another organization, the “Media Advocacy Coalition.”

The international human rights organization Amnesty International also commented on the situation: “The accounts of the independent Georgian publication Batumelebi were frozen after alleged cases of police violence against its founder, Mazia Amaglobeli, who is currently unlawfully detained and facing a tainted trial. Amnesty calls for a full investigation of all allegations of police violence,” the statement read.

Update: On July 22, after the news received significant attention from both local and international media organizations, the Revenue Service offered Batumelebi a payment schedule and lifted the lien. On the same day, thanks to support from readers who launched a major campaign to help the publication, the principal amount of the debt was covered.

“Mtavari Arkhi” Broadcast Suspended

On February 15, 2025, Mtavari Arkhi’s broadcasting was suspended. According to a statement released by the TV station, all programming has been halted due to a financial crisis allegedly manufactured by Zaza Okuashvili, the channel’s co-founder.

Mtavari Arkhi had already issued a statement a few weeks earlier about an escalating internal conflict between the founders.

It is worth noting that the broadcasting sector is facing serious challenges. This year alone, two regional broadcasters have already ceased operations. In such a context, the suspension of independent media outlets significantly harms an already fragile pluralistic media environment.