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“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.

“Over the past night, ‘Studio Monitori’ was attacked by more than 1,000 fake accounts. The fake followers left dozens of comments on Instagram posts. Such attacks aim to disrupt social platforms,” reads Studio Monitori’s statement.

Notably, the investigative media outlet has repeatedly fallen victim to digital attacks in recent months. In August, Studio Monitori’s Facebook page was blocked based on fake complaints. Prior to that, Monitori’s YouTube channel was targeted, resulting in the deletion of the “Studio Monitori” YouTube channel overnight due to fraudulent reports. Later, “Monitori” conducted its own investigation into the grounds for the channel’s removal and discovered that the YouTube account was terminated based on so-called copyright strikes. The media outlet found out that up to $5,000 had been paid for the complaints. Furthermore, the person directly involved in taking down the channel was an individual named Aditya Singh, who admitted himself that he received a substantial sum of money in exchange for filing the complaint, though he did not name the client who commissioned it.

The YouTube channel of the regional online media outlet “Sapikhvno” has been shut down.

On August 16, the regional online media outlet “Sapikhvno” announced that its YouTube channel had been deleted. The publication covers news from the high mountainous region, produces podcasts and video content, and stands out for its critical, pro-European editorial stance.

According to “Sapikhvno,” the YouTube channel was created this year, and multiple people worked voluntarily on its development. The publication noted that significant effort had been invested in producing video materials, including a podcast. The media outlet appealed to its audience for assistance, stating that it needs technical support or the means to contact the relevant YouTube department to restore the channel.

The deletion of the channel raises additional questions regarding the digital security of regional and critical online media, as well as the protection of their access to platforms.

Third cyberattack on ‘Monitor’ in the last month – this time, the media outlet’s Facebook page was blocked

On the morning of August 3, 2026, journalists from the investigative media outlet “Monitor” discovered that their Facebook page had been blocked. “Monitor” received a notification from Meta alleging a copyright violation. The media outlet categorically ruled out any “copyright violation.”

Nino Zuriashvili, head of Studio “Monitor,” links the blocking of the page to a journalistic investigation concerning fraudulent call centers, which is scheduled to be published today. The media outlet had already released an announcement about it.

As a result of communication with Meta, “Monitor’s” page was restored on the evening of the same day.

This is already the third instance in the last month where “Monitor’s” platforms have been targeted by a cyberattack. On July 25, Studio “Monitor’s” YouTube channel was taken down, which was restored following an appeal. On July 1, Meta deleted several pieces of content on “Monitor’s” Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The blocking of the investigative media’s online platforms happened every time due to complaints submitted from obscure email addresses. The cyberattacks coincided in time with the release of critical investigative documentaries by the media outlet. During the previous two attacks, in one instance, the subject of the investigation was the Russian ties of a fraudulent network of online casinos and their affiliated construction companies. In the second instance, it involved investigations related to the family of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze and his corrupt dealings.

Following these cyberattacks, “Monitor” discovered that blocking online platforms is easily achievable, and the fee a client pays for this service ranges from $3,000 to $5,000. For example, this amount was paid to someone named Aditya Singh to block “Monitor’s” YouTube channel. He confirmed to “Monitor” that he was commissioned to block their YouTube; however, he did not disclose the client’s identity, as the actual client had contacted him through another “intermediary.”

“Studio Monitor” is known for its hard-hitting journalistic investigations. Because of this, it has recently become the target of verbal attacks by high-ranking officials of the “Georgian Dream” party on multiple occasions.

Regional media outlet TOK TV has become the target of a cyberattack

According to the regional media outlet TOK TV, a cyberattack has been carried out on their official website for the second time in the past two weeks.

“At this time, the site is accessible with glitches, however, when attempting to log into the administrative panel, a message appears stating that the system has been hacked by ‘CoupDeGrace’. At this stage, the technical details are being studied and the full scale of the incident is being assessed,” writes TOK2Region.

As stated by TOK TV, the issue was related to a cyberattack on WordPress and the compromising of the site.

“Modified WordPress Core files, malicious PHP code, unknown Administrator accounts, and arbitrarily added plugins were found in the system, which indicated that the attacker had persistent access / a backdoor to the site. To resolve the problem, suspicious files and plugins were systematically cleared, unknown administrators were deleted, administrator passwords and WordPress security keys were changed, Core files were updated/replaced with clean versions, and the arbitrary addition of new plugins and themes from within WordPress was restricted using the DISALLOW_FILE_MODS parameter,” TOK TV representatives state.

At this stage, the problem has not yet been fully resolved.

As a result of another coordinated cyberattack attempt, the “Monitor” YouTube channel was disabled

On July 25, the YouTube channel of the investigative media outlet “Monitor” was disabled. In a released statement, the media outlet notes that a coordinated cyberattack was carried out against them:

“3 of our materials were appealed (so-called reported) on YouTube: the first concerns the Hermès collection of Ana Areshidze, the wife of the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze; the second material concerns sanctioned judges; and the third is a part of our extensive journalistic investigation, which concerns the change in the excise price on cigarettes – it satisfied the business interests of Vano Chkhartishvili, a businessman close to the government,” the statement reads.

“Monitor” considers these types of attacks as another attempt to silence independent media and restrict the provision of objective information to the public. “However, they will not be able to hinder our activities with such methods,” the statement notes.

It is noteworthy that a coordinated attack on “Monitor’s” social networks was previously recorded in early July, when Meta deleted several of “Monitor’s” materials following so-called reports. As noted in the statement of “Monitor,” Meta restored the materials after an appeal.

This time, “the ‘Monitor’ team is actively working to resolve the problem caused by the coordinated attack and to restore the channel (referring to YouTube) in a timely manner,” the statement reads.

Coordinated cyberattack on Studio Monitor’s online platforms

On July 1, 2026, a coordinated cyberattack was launched against the online platforms of the investigative journalistic agency “Studio Monitor.”

According to the outlet, the media organization became a target after publishing an investigative report titled “Trump Tower” in Tbilisi – A Fraudulent Online Casino Network and Russian Connections. The publication reported that a group of users began mass-reporting (“dereporting”) all materials on YouTube and Facebook/Instagram that detailed the potential links between Georgian construction companies and an unlicensed online casino network. “Studio Monitor” has recently published two investigative reports on this topic.

“As a result of this coordinated cyberattack, META notified us that several of ‘Monitor’s’ materials had been removed from their platforms, and one video was taken down from YouTube—specifically those concerning the ties between Georgian companies and the unlicensed online casino network. Furthermore, we received an email from an address linked to various fraudulent networks, demanding the removal of our investigative report from the ‘Monitor’ website,” the outlet’s statement reads.

“Monitor” has appealed the decisions made by YouTube and Meta and is currently working to identify who is behind this coordinated attack.

An “Achara Times” journalist became the target of aggression while performing their professional duties

According to Achara Times, Sulkhan Meskhidze, the founder and journalist of the online publication, became the target of aggression while covering the election for the head of the Adjara branch of the Union of the Blind.

The publication reports that the incident occurred in the courtyard during the coverage of the election process. While he was performing his journalistic duties, an attempt was made to snatch and smash Meskhidze’s phone. According to the outlet, police officers present at the scene witnessed the aggression and the attempt to confiscate the journalist’s phone, but they failed to react.

Achara Times stated that they were unable to capture complete video footage of the incident, as the recording stopped during the struggle to prevent the mobile phone from being damaged. The publication further noted that representatives of the Union of the Blind also refused to allow journalists to enter the voting area to film the proceedings.

Part of TV Formula’s Audience Experiences Broadcast Interruption

On May 4, the television network Formula issued a statement regarding a partial interruption in its broadcasting.

“We would like to inform Formula viewers that a segment of our audience is currently experiencing a temporary broadcast interruption. This is due to an outstanding balance with Stereo+—the company responsible for providing Formula’s free-to-air signal to viewers who do not have cable television and receive the channel via digital multiplex. The network’s management is actively working to mobilize the necessary financial resources to fully restore broadcasting as soon as possible. Your support during this process is incredibly important to us. If you wish to help, you can support Formula by making a donation. Thank you for your trust and solidarity,” the statement read.

On May 13, Formula released a follow-up statement announcing that its broadcasting had resumed.

Journalist Davit Chabashvili Receives Death Threats

According to TV Formula, journalist Davit Chabashvili is being threatened with death. Media reports indicate that the journalist has been receiving threatening messages from an individual identified as Gia Kikolashvili-Chanturia. Reportedly, the person behind the threats is also aware of the journalist’s home address.

“For what you say, for your work, and for what you write, you will be beheaded,” reads one of the threatening messages.

Davit Chabashvili links the incident to his professional activities. He stated that the threatening messages and phone calls have been ongoing for about a week. According to Formula, an investigation has been launched under Article 151 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (Threat), and the journalist has already been questioned.

The Charter of Journalistic Ethics responded to the incident, calling on the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia to ensure the journalist’s safety and to investigate the matter promptly. The Charter stated that such attacks on journalists are fueled by aggressive rhetoric from high-ranking officials toward independent media. It called on officials to realize the consequences of using hate speech and to change their approach accordingly.

A Journalist from the Online Outlet “Publika” Was Obstructed While Performing Professional Duties

On February 11, 2026, in Tbilisi, at the Paragraph Hotel, during an event organized by the Iranian Embassy to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, unknown individuals obstructed a journalist from the online outlet “Publika” while performing their professional duties. A man dressed in traditional attire seized the journalist’s phone and threw it, then forced them to delete the recorded material. To ensure the journalist had complied, the individuals accessed their personal information without permission, including private photos, videos, and mobile applications. According to the outlet, the journalist’s press ID and personal identification were also confiscated, and photos were taken of both the journalist and the documents.

The journalist was covering the event and a protest performance by an Iranian activist woman. “Publika” suspects that representatives of the State Protection Service or the State Security Service may have witnessed the incident. However, since the individuals were in civilian clothing and gave vague answers to questions, the outlet was unable to determine their identities or official positions.

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has called on the State Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately investigate the obstruction of the “Publika” journalist in performing professional duties and to take appropriate measures to ensure a safe and dignified working environment for journalists.