While covering the October 4, 2025 rally, according to information released by the Public Broadcaster, a protester allegedly threw an “unknown liquid” at the news program’s “Moambe” crew, resulting in injuries to journalist Shalva Sumbadze and cameraman Nika Tsirekidze.
Attack on propertyDamage to equipmentSeizure or confiscation of equipment
Project 64 team loses control of drone during October 4 rally
Project 64 lost its drone camera during the October 4, 2025 rally. Project 64 founder and journalist Giorgi Gogua wrote on social media that the camera was filming near the parliament building when it suddenly started flying erratically and lost control.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attackVerbal insult
A “Publika” journalist was threatened and an attempt was made to physically assault him by a Tbilisi City Court bailiff, who also threatened to call the police
On October 1, 2025, Publika’s journalist, Mindia Gabadze, was threatened with police intervention and faced an attempted physical assault by a marshal of the Tbilisi City Court. Gabadze was covering the court hearing of activist Gela Khasaia.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Attack on propertyDamage to equipmentDamage to property (e.g. house, vehicle, office)
A bailiff from the Tbilisi City Court damaged the phone of a journalist from the TV “Formula”
On October 1, 2025, a bailiff of the Tbilisi City Court confiscated the phone of Natali Jakhutashvili, a journalist for the TV company “Formula”, and returned it broken.
Anti-Corruption Bureau requests information from media to enforce repressive laws
Since May 2025, after the repressive laws came into force, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has requested large amounts of information from more than 60 non-governmental organizations, including several media outlets. The basis for this request is the Law on Grants. The Georgian Dream adopted an amendment to the Law on Grants on April 16, 2025. According to the amendments, the grantor (donor) must apply to the Government of Georgia for consent to issue a grant; the grantee, if receiving a grant without consent, will be fined double the amount of the grant.
Shalva Papuashvili Continues Attacks on Independent Outlet Netgazeti
On September 22, 2025, Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of Parliament from Georgian Dream, referred to the independent online outlet Netgazeti as propaganda media.
“Georgian Dream’s Tbilisi mayoral candidate, Kakha Kaladze, called journalists ‘abusers’ and verbally insulted them
On September 21, 2025, Kakha Kaladze, the incumbent mayor of Tbilisi and mayoral candidate from Georgian Dream, called journalists “abusers” and verbally insulted them.
“Radio Marneuli” became the target of censorship and threats from members of “Georgian Dream”
Individuals associated with the ruling party, “Georgian Dream,” demanded that Radio Marneuli delete information about one of the party’s candidates, threatening legal action in court if the demand was not met.
