The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics announced that, for the first time since 2012, it will not be able to monitor how media outlets cover election-related issues during the election period. In its statement, the Charter cited repressive legislation adopted by Georgian Dream as the reason.
Amid pro-European protest rallies, Georgian Dream passed several laws which, according to assessments by local and international organizations, significantly restrict independent media organizations.
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 June 5, 2025, the Communications Commission accepted for consideration the complaints filed by “Georgian Dream” against TV Pirveli, Formula, and Mtavari Arkhi, and will review them substantively on June 19.
On June 2, TV channels Formula and TV Pirveli released a statement revealing that “Georgian Dream” had filed complaints against them with the National Communications Commission.
According to Formula, a representative of “Georgian Dream” is accusing the channel of violating provisions of the broadcasting law that the ruling party adopted on April 1. The party submitted the complaint to the Commission on June 1 — the day the Commission was granted the authority to sanction broadcasters.
“The complaint seeks to censor terms that emphasize the illegitimacy and political bias of Georgian Dream’s parliament, officials, or institutions,” Formula’s statement says.
“Georgian Dream” is suing Formula over the use of phrases such as: “prisoners of the regime,” “regime’s court,” “illegitimate parliament,” “so-called parliament,” and others.
According to TV Pirveli, a 14-page complaint has been filed against them at the National Communications Commission, listing words and terms used by the media in various news segments.
The amendments to the “Broadcasting Law” were passed by “Georgian Dream” on April 1, 2025. Under the new rules, the regulatory body—the National Communications Commission—was granted significantly expanded powers, and all foreign funding of broadcasters was fully banned.
The Media Advocacy Coalition responded to the situation with a statement: “The repressive legislation recently initiated and adopted by Georgian Dream deliberately restricts freedom of expression and the public’s access to alternative opinions and information,” the statement reads.
