On 30 November 2025, the pro-government television station Imedi aired yet another report aimed at discrediting the “Light Media” platform.
The title of the segment broadcast on Imedi resembled that of a report called “Foreign Intelligence Services’ Media Network,” which aired on 23 November. In that earlier report, without presenting any evidence, it was repeatedly claimed that various media outlets were operating in the interests of “foreign intelligence services,” allegedly receiving 17,434,381 million GEL in funding for this purpose.
The Speaker of Parliament from the Georgian Dream party, Shalva Papuashvili, spoke about so-called “black money,” accusing independent media outlets of supposedly acting according to a “plan drafted by foreign intelligence services,” alongside other similar schemes, and of opposing “national interest” projects initiated by Georgian Dream.
“Light Media” is a coalition of 22 independent online media outlets, including:
- Radio Marneuli
- Jnews
- Chai Khana
- OC Media
- Publika
- Indigo
- Media Checker
- April Media
- Qartli.ge
- Chemi Kharagauli
- Ajara Times
- i Fact
- Batumelebi
- Netgazeti
- TOK2Region
- Studio Monitor
- Guria News
- Project 64
- SK News
- Info Imereti
- Kutaisipost
- Guria Moambe
“Light Media” was formed after legislative regulations adopted by Georgian Dream placed media organizations in a difficult situation. Specifically, laws passed in the spring restrict media outlets from receiving grants, label them as organizations “carrying out the interests of a foreign power,” and expose them to the risk of criminal prosecution. The media outlets decided to unite and appeal to the public for financial support.
