Suspension of media operations

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.

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.

Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani Temporarily Suspended From Hosting Public Broadcaster’s News Program

On February 4, 2025, The Georgian Public Broadcaster temporarily suspended journalist Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani from hosting the 6:00 PM news program Moambe.

The journalist himself shared the news on Facebook. The reason for the suspension was the refusal of Moambe producers to continue working with Ivanov-Chikovani.

“I no longer host the 6:00 PM Moambe. The official explanation – as you may know, at today’s Board of Trustees meeting, the producers of Moambe expressed their position regarding your public statements (including those made on air) and declared their refusal to continue working with you as a host,” the journalist wrote.

The Media Advocacy Coalition responded to the incident, expressing solidarity with Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani and all his colleagues who are fighting for editorial independence and responsible journalism at the Public Broadcaster.

“The Media Advocacy Coalition condemns the Public Broadcaster’s leadership for the temporary suspension of Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani from anchoring the news. This decision aims to silence an objective, impartial journalist who actively supports Georgia’s European path, along with his colleagues,” the coalition stated.

Update: On February 26, 2025, the Moambe news program on the Public Broadcaster’s First Channel was hosted by a new anchor, Lasha Berdzenishvili, instead of Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani.

“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.

Journalist Removed from Broadcast After Criticizing Public Broadcaster’s Policy

On March 23, 2025, it became known that Ani Jobava, a journalist and contributor to the morning program at the Georgian Public Broadcaster — where she had worked for seven years — was removed from on-air duties. The journalist announced the news on social media.

She links the decision to her critical stance toward the channel’s editorial policy.

“Hi, I’m Ani Jobava, a journalist for the Public Broadcaster’s morning show. I was not called in… First they excluded me from meetings, then cut off communication, and that’s how it went for over a month and a half,” Jobava wrote on social media.

Ani Jobava is one of the journalists who signed a staff statement condemning and protesting violence against fellow citizens and colleagues. The statement also called for the broadcaster’s airtime to be used for amplifying public opinion and encouraging open debate.

Similar to Ani Jobava, the broadcaster’s management also removed news anchor Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani from the air. He, too, has been critical of the Public Broadcaster’s editorial direction.