The Tbilisi Court of Appeals Rejected the Lawsuit of Former “Moambe” Presenter Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani
The Tbilisi Court of Appeals did not uphold the claim of Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, a journalist at the Public Broadcaster’s Channel One and former presenter of “Moambe,” in which he sought to have the first-instance court’s decision regarding his dismissal declared invalid.
An Unknown Individual Threatened Journalists Mindia Gabadze and Mariam Nikuradze with Physical Violence
On the night of February 9, 2026, after the conclusion of an ongoing protest in Tbilisi, an unidentified individual threatened representatives of independent media with physical violence Mindia Gabadze, a journalist with the publication “Publika,” and Mariam Nikuradze, founder of OC Media.
“Georgian Dream” MP Tea Tsulukiani Insults Journalist Nanuka Jorjoliani and Attempts to Discredit Her
Former Georgian Minister of Culture and Justice and current “Georgian Dream” MP Tea Tsulukiani insulted television host Nanuka Jorjoliani and attempted to discredit her using a doctored photo.
Court of Appeals Upholds Fine Against Journalist Vika Bukia for Social Media Post
The Tbilisi Court of Appeals upheld the 4,000-lari fine imposed on “TV Pirveli” journalist and television host Vika Bukia by the Tbilisi City Court for calling “Georgian Dream” MP Mariam Lashkhi a “slave” on Facebook.
Media Barred From Covering Academic Council Meeting at Tbilisi State University
On February 2, 2026, media representatives were not allowed into the main building of Tbilisi State University, where an Academic Council meeting was taking place. The meeting discussed the merger of two universities, Tbilisi State University (TSU) and the Georgian Technical University (GTU).
The “State Security Committee” of Occupied Tskhinvali Publishes Personal Data of Former Voice of America Journalist
The so-called State Security Committee of the Tskhinvali region, occupied by the Russian Federation, has published the personal data of former Voice of America correspondent Nino Dalakishvili.
“Georgian Dream” Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili Discredits Radio Liberty
On February 2, 2026, during a live broadcast on the pro-government “Rustavi 2,” Georgian Dream’s Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili referred to Radio Liberty as a tool of Western propaganda and spread misinformation about the media outlet’s funding sources.
Shalva Papuashvili Continues to Discredit Independent Online Media
The Chair of Parliament from “Georgian Dream,” Shalva Papuashvili, has once again engaged in discrediting independent online media, first on the air of TV company “Imedi,” and later on his personal social media page.
Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution for expressing critical position | Risk of media outlet closure
Incident Type:
Laws Restricting Media FreedomLegal incident
“Georgian Dream” Announces New Repressive Legislative Amendments
On 28 January, following a meeting of the parliamentary majority of Georgian Dream, it was announced that the party intends to initiate a new legislative package during the spring session. The package will include amendments to the Law on Grants, the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Offences, and the Law on Political Associations of Citizens.
