Journalists’ Safety in Georgia

Incidents

  • 11.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Unidentified
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Attack on property Seizure or confiscation of equipment

A Journalist from the Online Outlet “Publika” Was Obstructed While Performing Professional Duties

On February 11, 2026, in Tbilisi, at the Paragraph Hotel, during an event organized by the Iranian Embassy to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, unknown individuals obstructed a journalist from the online outlet “Publika” while performing their professional duties. A man dressed in traditional attire seized the journalist’s phone and threw it, then forced them to delete the recorded material. To ensure the journalist had complied, the individuals accessed their personal information without permission, including private photos, videos, and mobile applications. According to the outlet, the journalist’s press ID and personal identification were also confiscated, and photos were taken of both the journalist and the documents.
  • 10.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Court
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Labour rights Restriction of labor rights

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.
  • 09.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • An Individual
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Intimidation/Threats Verbal attack

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.
  • 06.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Georgian Dream Party
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Discrediting Verbal attack

“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.
  • 06.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Court
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Fines Legal incident

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.
  • 06.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • An official | Prime Minister
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Verbal attack Verbal insult

“Georgian Dream” and Its Supportive Media Are Discrediting the Independent Outlet “Publika”

The Prime Minister of “Georgian Dream,” Irakli Kobakhidze, and the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, are attempting to discredit the independent outlet “Publika” following its receipt of a European Union prize. Their narrative has been echoed by media organizations supportive of “Georgian Dream,” including Imedi TV, Rustavi 2, and POSTV.
  • 02.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Administrative body
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Denial of access to a public meeting Interference

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).
  • 02.02.2026
  • Tskhinvali
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Personal information Request for personal data

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.
  • 02.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Chair of the Parliament of Georgia
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Discrediting Verbal attack

“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.
  • 29.01.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • An official
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Discrediting Verbal attack

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.
GE / EN

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