The Parliament of Georgia has prematurely revoked the accreditations of the online publications Publika and Monitori, which were initially issued for a one-year term.

In the May 21 decrees signed by the Head of the Parliamentary Staff, Kakha Okrojanashvili, and delivered to the media outlets, the stated reason for the revocation is the absence of their accredited journalists from the Parliament for ten consecutive weeks during the current parliamentary session (February 5, 2026 – April 17, 2026). Both Publika and Monitor each had four accredited journalists at the Parliament.

The Parliament’s Public Relations Department told Publika that this is the first instance of journalists having their accreditations prematurely revoked under this specific article. This regulation has been in effect since 2023. Monitor plans to appeal the Parliament’s decision in court.

It is worth noting that a non-accredited journalist from Studio Monitori previously faced difficulties obtaining even a one-time pass to enter the Parliament. On February 17 and 19, Monitor journalist Marika Dudunia applied twice for a special one-time pass, but the Parliament denied her requests.

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has assessed the incident as a deliberate attempt to restrict journalists from independent media outlets from accessing public information and public spaces, thereby hindering the performance of their professional duties.

“All of this ultimately harms the population of Georgia, leaving them without reliable and verified information on issues of vital importance to them,” the Charter’s statement reads.