Discrediting

The Campaign to Discredit Critical Media Continues

The Minister of Infrastructure visited the construction site of the Kvesheti-Kobi road in the Khadi Gorge together with representatives of pro-government television stations. The visit followed a journalistic investigation by Mtis Ambebi, which reported serious violations identified during the implementation of the project. According to Mtis Ambebi, the Ministry informed the media about the visit only on the previous evening, leaving the outlet unable to attend the site visit. Nevertheless, the Minister’s subsequent statements created the impression that critical media were not interested in the project and were criticizing it without sufficient grounds.

At the same time, the pro-government radio station Ai Utsnobi released an AI-generated video depicting journalists from critical media outlets attempting to ask the Prime Minister questions while he plays the piano. The video was accompanied by the text: “The Prime Minister and the journalists – the dog barks, the caravan moves on.”

Both episodes can be viewed as part of the continuing campaign to discredit critical media. Such messaging undermines the legitimacy of journalists’ professional activities, portrays questions concerning matters of public interest as unfounded criticism or obstruction, and contributes to an increasingly hostile environment for critical media. In Georgia, the discrediting of independent and critical media by government representatives and affiliated actors has become a persistent pattern.

Imedi TV’s Attempt to Discredit RFERL

Imedi TV has published a post on its Facebook page that seeks to discredit Radio Tavisupleba/RFERL. The post refers to the outlet as “foreign-funded Radio Liberty” and claims that it is attempting to criticize the proposed reform of school uniforms.

The post also mentions Radio Liberty respondent and sexologist Eka Kvirkvelia in a disparaging context, identifying her as the wife of a person connected to the “Kamiti” case.

The framing used in Imedi’s post reflects a broader narrative promoted by pro-government media, in which critical and independent outlets are portrayed primarily through their sources of foreign funding. Such messaging serves to delegitimize their editorial work and undermine their credibility.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze attempts to discredit independent broadcasters

On August 12, 2026, during a government briefing, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze repeatedly referred to television stations with critical editorial policies, including Formula and TV Pirveli, as “party television stations.” He accused them of fuelling Russophobic sentiment and repeatedly described TV Pirveli journalist Rusudan Dumbadze as a “foreign agent” and a propagandist for the United National Movement.

When a TV Pirveli journalist asked why the Prime Minister devoted so much attention to the issue of Russophobia, Kobakhidze said that such sentiments were being deliberately incited by “foreign agents” and subsequently amplified by what he described as party-affiliated television stations, including TV Pirveli.

“You, the representatives of party television stations, are involved in this. This is a coordinated campaign, and all of this is being organized from abroad,” Kobakhidze told journalist Rusudan Dumbadze. “Your party activists are walking on the beach with [Russophobic] banners, aren’t they? They are agents, and you are covering this by presenting it as people protesting against Russian tourists in Georgia,” he told the journalist.

Irakli Kobakhidze is trying to discredit the investigative media outlet “Monitor”

“Postv”, sanctioned for disinformation, shared a comment by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Facebook, which serves to discredit the investigative media outlet “Monitor”.

In the description of the shared video, “Postv” writes: “The Prime Minister on the disinformation spread by Studio Monitor”.

A day before Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s statement, “Monitor” published a new journalistic investigation concerning the sale of the former “Sakartvelo” hotel building in the center of Tbilisi by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s family bank, “Cartu Bank”.

Irakli Kobakhidze called “Monitor’s” investigation “another manipulation”.

Prior to this, due to the same journalistic investigation, the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, attempted to discredit “Monitor”.

Disinformation campaign against Sulkhan Meskhidze

On July 18, “Adjara Times” published an article titled: “The road near the Batumi Cathedral has been blocked for more than an hour, allegedly due to Bera Ivanishvili.” The publication of the article was followed by a disinformation campaign against the founder of the publication, Sulkhan Meskhidze.

Supporters of “Georgian Dream” actively circulated posts on the social network Facebook aiming to discredit the journalist.

“The liar founder of ‘Adjara Times,’ Sulkhan Meskhidze, is not invited to crowded weddings when traffic gets disrupted; it is a cheap lie that the road was blocked for a wedding ceremony in Batumi because of the attendee Bera Ivanishvili,” wrote “Georgian Dream” supporter Gia Abashidze, among others, on Facebook.

Posts against Sulkhan Meskhidze were also published by “Dream” supporter Nino Pochkhua. These statements were later disseminated unchanged by, among others, “POSTV Analytics.“

POSTV also published on the social network disinformation directed against Sulkhan Meskhidze that was shared on the personal pages of “Georgian Dream” supporters Nikoloz Metreveli and David Chikheladze.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze continues to discredit Studio ‘Monitor’

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze called the investigative journalists of “Studio Monitor” “liars” and “fraudsters.” He made this assessment in response to questions from a “TV Pirveli” journalist regarding a journalistic investigation published by “Studio Monitor.”

On July 16, “Studio Monitor” published an investigation concerning property deals related to the former “Sakartvelo” (Georgia) hotel building in the center of Tbilisi, the transfer of state property for 1 GEL, and the possible intersection of government-linked business interests in this process. The investigation discusses an amendment made to a government resolution, based on which 3,237.3 square meters of state-owned space was transferred to LLC “Sakartvelo 2030” for 1 GEL.

This is not the first time the Tbilisi Mayor has publicly attacked “Studio Monitor.” On June 1, during television debates on “Rustavi 2,” Kakha Kaladze referred to the investigative studio “Monitor” as a media outlet that “spreads lies,” and called one of the studio’s journalists “ignorant” and “uneducated.” Furthermore, it should be noted that Kakha Kaladze’s public statements directed at journalists have on numerous occasions contained insulting and obscene language. CMIS has documented similar cases multiple times.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze Attempts to Discredit Studio “Monitor”

On June 1, during a televised debate on “Rustavi 2,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze referred to the investigative Studio “Monitor” as a media outlet that “spreads lies.” Furthermore, he labeled one of the studio’s journalists as “ignorant” and “uneducated.”

The theme of the “Rustavi 2” debate centered on the challenges facing the capital. The Mayor’s visible irritation was triggered by a question from opposition politician Nika Oboladze. The inquiry concerned alleged corrupt deals involving the Mayor’s deputies, specifically Vice Mayor Irakli Khmaladze.Rather than directly addressing the issue, the Mayor of Tbilisi attempted to evade the question with the following response [Timecode: 1:05-1:06]: “He relied on Studio ‘Monitor,’ an outlet that has been caught in lies and fabrications. Including regarding me, by the way, on several occasions. Just recently, a few days ago, I caught a journalist in a blatant lie and exposed them… This is a clear example of how fabrications are manufactured in Georgia. Some ignorant, uneducated so-called journalist makes accusations, then an element posing as a politician repeats them, and you are left having to come out and defend yourself.”რუსთავი 2

Studio “Monitor” has published numerous investigative reports concerning corruptdeals linked to the Mayor of Tbilisi, including those involving Irakli Khmaladze. One of their most recent films, released on May 8, focused on the construction businesses of Kakha Kaladze’s friend, Giorgi Barvenashvili.

Note: It is worth noting that Kakha Kaladze has a history of using offensive and derogatory language toward journalists. The CMIS has documented numerous instances of such behavior.

Sanctioned for Spreading Russian Disinformation Regarding the Full-Scale War in Ukraine, TV Imedi Attempts to Discredit Guram Rogava

On May 10, 2026, the television network Imedi, which has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom for spreading disinformation, published a discrediting post against journalist Guram Rogava. TV Imedi refers to Guram Rogava as a “propagandist for the National Movement.”

On November 29, 2024, while performing his professional duties and covering pro-European protests, a riot police officer assaulted Guram Rogava, striking him forcefully on the back of the head.

“TV Pirveli” views statements from the Prosecutor’s Office and “Georgian Dream” MPs as an attempt to pressure the investigative journalists of “Shabatis Eteri”

A report aired on April 25 by “TV Pirveli’s” investigative program, “Shabatis Eteri” (Saturday Broadcast), was followed by a series of statements directed against the television company. The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia accuses the station of spreading disinformation.

Specifically, the program “Nodar Meladze’s Saturday” prepared an investigative report regarding Bezhan Bezhuashvili, the father of Tamar Bezhuashvili, a prosecutor involved in high-profile cases. Tamar Bezhuashvili is leading the cases of Paata Burchuladze, Irakli Nadiradze, Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze. According to the journalistic investigation, the prosecutor’s father defrauded business partners, thereby seizing their shares, funds, and real estate. The report also discusses the prosecutor’s alleged influence, which may be the reason for the delay in the legal proceedings initiated against Bezhan Bezhuashvili.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia released a statement regarding this matter, calling the “TV Pirveli” material “yet another disinformation report.” According to the agency, the television company “is deliberately preparing a report for the second time regarding the business activities of the prosecutor’s father and is completely unjustifiably linking them to Tamar Bezhuashvili’s professional activities.”

“The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia will not allow such attacks on the prosecutors of high-profile criminal cases, which aim to discredit the prosecutor and the agency, and will respond accordingly,” the statement reads.

Journalist Nodar Meladze also responded to the incident, noting that the attack on the “Shabatis Eteri” team is intended to pressure journalists:

“We, the investigative project ‘Shabatis Eteri’ of ‘TV Pirveli,’ consider the orchestrated attacks on our team as pressure on journalists. The goal of these actions is to force media representatives to cease their professional activities and refuse to prepare investigative reports. For the second day now, a series of attacks by the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia and ‘Georgian Dream’ MPs has been underway against the investigative journalists of the ‘Shabatis Eteri’ program.””TV Pirveli” views statements from the Prosecutor’s Office and “Georgian Dream” MPs as an attempt to pressure the investigative journalists of “Shabatis Eteri”

UK-Sanctioned Imedi TV Accuses Critical Outlet TV Pirveli of Manipulation

On April 24, TV Imedi a broadcaster sanctioned by the United Kingdom for spreading Russian disinformation published a social media post accusing the critical news outlet TV Pirveli of manipulation. The post concerns a report by TV Pirveli claiming that 60% of those granted Georgian citizenship in 2025 were Russian citizens.

TV Imedi writes that “beyond the statistical figure intended to mislead the public, the opposition media says nothing about the fact that restoration, retention, or the granting of citizenship by way of exception can be requested by former Georgian citizens or citizens who have either already lost or have not yet lost their Georgian citizenship after acquiring the citizenship of another country.”

The post features a photo of Nodar Meladze, the head of TV Pirveli’s news service, with the word “Manipulation” stamped across it in red. TV Imedi frequently publishes posts targeting the critical broadcaster TV Pirveli and its news director, Nodar Meladze.