Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution for expressing critical position | Risk of media outlet closure
Incident Type:
Legal incident→Laws Restricting Media Freedom
“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.
Law enforcement | სამართალდამცველი | სამართალდამცველი
Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Attack on property→Damage to equipment · Verbal attack→Intimidation/Threats · Administrative Offense / Legal Practice→Verbal warning · Interference · Legal incident
Formula Journalist Obstructed on Duty, Phone Confiscated and Footage Deleted, Threatened with Arrest
On January 26, 2026, Formula TV journalist Nano Chakvetadze had her phone confiscated, the footage recorded on site was deleted, and she was threatened with arrest.
The Communications Commission issued a verbal warning to ‘Radio Marneuli’
On January 22, the Communications Commission issued a verbal warning to “Radio Marneuli” for receiving a grant. The decision was made due to a violation of the Law on Broadcasting.
Tbilisi City Council Member Attempts to Discredit Independent Media
Tbilisi City Council member Konstantine Zarnadze of “Georgian Dream” accuses independent media outlets of “psychological terror, sowing disorder and fear.”
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
TV ‘Imedi’ is trying to discredit Vika Bukia
On January 20, Pro-Government TV"Imedi" published a clip on its social media page taken from a monologue by TV Pirveli journalist Vika Bukia, with the caption: "The grammatical 'education' of a propagandist."
Threats against a journalist following the investigative report aired on ‘Saturday Formula’
On January 17, after an investigative report aired on Saturday Formula about the possible involvement of film director Goga Khaindrava in corruption schemes, the program’s host, Davit Kashiashvili, received a threatening message on social media from an unknown person. The author of the threat wrote to the journalist: “Tbilisi is a small city… take care of yourself, buddy.”
Criminal prosecution may be initiated against Afgan Sadigov
On January 16, Tbilisi City Court Judge Nino Enukidze terminated the administrative proceedings initiated against journalist Afgan Sadigov and referred the case to the Tbilisi Police Department, as the court assessed that his actions may contain elements of a criminal offense. This means that the journalist faces the risk of a criminal investigation being launched.
Fines and seizures for a journalist’s professional activities
On August 30, 2025, Tozu Gulmamedli, a journalist for the independent online media outlet "Mautskebeli," was fined 5,000 GEL for a second time on the grounds of "blocking the road" near the Parliament building. Although the journalist was performing her professional duties - as evidenced by materials published on "Mautskebeli's" platforms investigative authorities failed to take this circumstance into account.
