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.”
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.
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.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “POSTV”
Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Discrediting
The propaganda narrative against Mzia Amaghlobeli aired on POSTV
On January 12, the POSTV program "Analytica" aired a report titled "The Criminal Chronology of Criminal Mzia Amaghlobeli," which employs stigmatizing and discrediting language against journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of the publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
Kakha Kaladze is attempting to discredit a TV Pirveli journalist
On January 12, during a public comment, Kakha Kaladze verbally insulted a journalist from the TV company TV Pirveli. The incident followed a question posed by the journalist regarding the presence at the port of Kulevi of a vessel marked as part of the so-called “shadow fleet” and the risk of secondary sanctions being imposed on the country.
Attack on propertyDamage to property (e.g. house, vehicle, office)InterferencePenetration into a property
The CNews outlet’s website was taken offline, and employees were locked out of the office
On January 8, 2026, the website of the news agency CNews went offline. When attempting to access the site, a message appeared stating, “Disconnected due to outstanding debt.” On the same day, employees of the agency and of the newspaper Kronika Plus (which share the same founder) were unable to enter the editorial office building, as they found that the door lock had been changed.
The TV channel Euronews Georgia will no longer cover news from Georgia
The TV channel Euronews Georgia is changing its format and, starting in 2026, will no longer cover news from Georgia. In an official statement, the channel linked this decision to financial resources.
Gia Gachechiladze, a supporter of “Georgian Dream,” insulted Mzia Amaghlobeli
Gia Gachechiladze, a supporter of “Georgian Dream” and host of the show “Ai Ucnobi” referred to Mzia Amaghlobel, founder of Netgazeti/Batumelebi and journalist, using insulting epithets.
The Public Broadcaster has dismissed Kakha Melikidze from his position
On December 26, 2025, the Public Broadcaster dismissed director Kakha Melikidze from his position. Kakha Melikidze had been working at the First Channel of the Public Broadcaster since 1998.
A defamation case against the television company TV Pirveli and a journalist
On December 9, 2025, the Tbilisi Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Tbilisi City Court in the defamation case brought by former Minister of Internal Affairs of “Georgian Dream,” Aleksandre Chikaidze, against the television company TV Pirveli and journalist Sopho Niauri. The dispute concerns a report aired on TV Pirveli in the program “Nodar Meladze’s Saturday,” in which Chikaidze was accused of having links to so-called call centers. The Court of Appeal ordered the television company and the journalist to issue a retraction of the information disseminated about Aleksandre Chikaidze and to pay moral damages in the amount of 10,000 lari.
