Shalva Papuashvili called TOK2Region “party media spreading disinformation”
On October 4, 2025, the day of local elections (which were boycotted by much of the pro-Western opposition and the public), Georgian Dream Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili accused the independent studio TOK2region of spreading disinformation and referred to it as “partisan media.” Papuashvili’s statement followed a video released by TOK2region from the 4th polling station in Akhaltsikhe, showing two voters in a single polling booth.
Attack on property→Damage to equipment, Seizure or confiscation of equipment
Interference→Prohibition on filming
“Mauwkebeli” lost its drone during the October 4 rally
While covering the protest on October 4, 2025, the online media outlet Mauwkebeli lost its drone. “The drone suddenly malfunctioned during filming, as happened with other media outlets,” a journalist from Mauwkebeli told MediaChecker.
“Netgazeti” lost its drone during the October 4 rally
At the October 4, 2025 rally, “Netgazeti” lost its drone. According to the information released by the publication, they lost their drone on Rustaveli Avenue. “Netgazeti’s” drones, as well as those of other media outlets, were allegedly specially shot down on Rustaveli Avenue, where we were trying to film the demonstration,” the publication said in the information released.
Police Physically and Verbally Assault Radio Liberty Journalist Giorgi Diasamidze
On October 4, 2025, while covering a protest rally in Tbilisi, Radio Liberty journalist Giorgi Diasamidze was physically and verbally assaulted by police.
A gas capsule was reportedly fired at a TV Pirveli film crew
A tear gas capsule was allegedly fired at the TV Pirveli camera crew, journalist Irakli Bakhtadze, and his cameraman. The incident occurred while they were broadcasting live from the Presidential Palace on Orbeliani Square.
Police Prevented Studio Monitor Journalist from Filming
On October 4, 2025, during a large-scale protest in Tbilisi, two criminal police officers attempted to interfere with Studio Monitor journalist Keti Tutberidze’s work and seize her phone.
A Georgian Dream agitator verbally insulted a journalist from TV Pirveli
On October 4, 2025, on the day of the local government elections (which were boycotted by a large part of the pro-Western opposition), agitators from the Georgian Dream, Nato Gogelia, verbally confronted a journalist from TV Pirveli at one of the polling stations in Batumi. They first tried to prevent him from filming by covering his camera with their hands, and then cursed at the journalist.
Journalist from Samkhretis Karibche banned from filming at Akhaltsikhe polling station No. 6
On October 4, 2025, on the day of local elections (which were boycotted by a large part of the pro-Western opposition), the chairman of the polling station commission at Akhaltsikhe polling station No. 6 restricted journalist Nuka Stepnadze from filming at the polling station.
Former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili Calls Journalists Disinformers
On October 4, 2025, on the day of local elections (which were boycotted by a large part of the pro-Western opposition), former Prime Minister of the Georgian Dream, Irakli Gharibashvili, who was at the polling station, called journalists from TV Pirveli and Formula “scoundrels” and “main fakers” at the 11th polling station in Tbilisi.
Georgian Dream President Mikheil Kavelashvili Calls TV Pirveli a Disinformation Outlet
On October 4, 2025, the day of the local self-government elections (which were boycotted by a large part of the pro-Western opposition), while at a polling station, Georgian Dream President Mikheil Kavelashvili called TV Pirveli journalist Ina Tsartsidze a “liar” and a representative of a “lying television.”
