Georgian Public Broadcaster Imposes Disciplinary Sanctions on Four Employees Critical of the Channel
The management of the First Channel of the Georgian Public Broadcaster has imposed disciplinary sanctions on four employees who have publicly criticized the channel’s editorial policy, accusing it of bias in favor of the government.
Photographer Goga Chanadiri was fined for 5,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road”
On April 10, 2025, Judge Nino Enukidze fined photographer Goga Chanadiri 5,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road.” Like other journalists, he is accused of blocking Rustaveli Avenue. At the time, Chanadiri was performing his professional duties.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
FinesLegal incident
“Mauqceblis” Journalist Fined for “Artificially Blocking the Road”
On April 8, 2025, “Mauqceblis” journalist Tozu Gulmamedova was notified of a fine. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses her of “artificially blocking the road” on February 16 of the same year.
Journalists were not allowed to attend the meeting at the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara
On April 7, 2025, journalists were not allowed to attend a session of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The session was convened to appoint the new head of the government of Adjara. The live broadcast of the session was also cut off.
On April 6, 2025, Indigo journalist Saba Sordia was detained near the Rustaveli Metro station. He is currently being held in the Digomi detention facility.
“Qronika+” Journalist Irina Makaridze Accused of Illegally Blocking the Road
On April 6, 2025, journalist Irina Makaridze, reporting for the newspaper "Qronika+" and the news agency "CNews", was covering ongoing protest on Shota Rustaveli Avenue when she was fined 5,000 GEL by police for “illegally blocking the road.”
Journalists were not allowed to attend The Chiatura Municipality Assembly meeting
On April 4, 2025, journalists from TV channels Formula, TV Pirveli, and Mtis Ambebi were denied entry to a meeting of The Chiatura Municipality Assembly.
“Georgian Dream” adopted laws restricting independent media
The "Georgian Dream" parliament adopted new, restrictive laws against independent and critical media through an accelerated procedure. These are the "Foreign Agents Registration Act" [FARA] and amendments to the "Law on Broadcasting" and the "Law on Grants." These laws were adopted against a background of repression and violence taking place against activists and the media.
