Laws Restricting Media FreedomLegal incidentLegal persecution
The Anti-Corruption Bureau is requesting information about grants from the publication “Indigo”
On November 11, 2025, the publication "Indigo" released a statement from which it became clear that the Anti-Corruption Bureau had initiated proceedings against them based on the so-called Law on Grants adopted by "Georgian Dream." "Since our entire activity is based on open communication and only your trust, we want you to know this news as well. Obviously, we continue and serve the mission that created us—we continue working for free speech and expression, for free thoughts and ideas," the publication writes.
“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.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Interference
While covering a protest rally, “Formula” journalist Liza Tsitsishvili was arrested and soon released
On November 5, 2025, during a protest rally in Tbilisi, the police arrested "Formula" TV company journalist Liza Tsitsishvili. At the time of the arrest, the journalist was performing her professional duties—interviewing rally participants. Video footage recorded by journalists present at the scene shows the police forcibly putting Liza Tsitsishvili into a car. The voices of other journalists can be heard in the video—they tell the police that Liza Tsitsishvili is their colleague; the police reply, "We'll figure it out." Liza Tsitsishvili was released ten minutes after her arrest. She says they apologized to her.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Detention/ArrestLegal incident
“MediaChecker” journalist Ninia Kakabadze was arrested while covering a protest rally
On November 3, 2025, the police arrested Ninia Kakabadze, a journalist for the Media Platform "Media Checker" of the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics. That day, the journalist was at the rally with a press identification badge; she was performing her professional duties. Ninia Kakabadze was arrested while returning home. She was taken to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tbilisi. The journalist recounts that for a long time, she was not allowed to call her minor child. The journalist was released a few hours after the arrest. Ninia Kakabadze is accused of artificially blocking the road. The Tbilisi City Court started deliberation on her case on November 4, but postponed the hearing until November 12.
A member of the supervisory board of a state company and a relative of a businessman close to “Georgian Dream” threatened a “TV Pirveli” journalist once again
On November 2, 2025, Tea Gabadadze, a member of the supervisory board of the state corporation "Sakrusenergo" and a relative of a businessman close to "Georgian Dream," threatened journalist Vika Bukia, the host of "TV Pirveli's" author's program, with physical violence on social media. Gabadadze's threat followed a photo posted by Vika Bukia on social media with a sarcastic caption, featuring members of "Georgian Dream" and their supporters, including Gabadadze. "I will cut your fingers with secateurs," Gabadadze wrote to the journalist, and subsequently repeated the threat of physical violence against the journalist multiple times in the comments.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
DiscreditingVerbal attack
After Mzia Amaglobeli received the Sakharov Prize, pro-government media once again tried to discredit the journalist
On October 22, Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, who has been imprisoned for more than nine months, received the European Union’s highest human rights honor, the Sakharov Prize. This recognition of the journalist was followed by yet another attempt by pro-government television stations to discredit her.
Persecution for expressing critical position | Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
DiscreditingVerbal attack
Another attempt by the Speaker of Parliament to discredit Netgazeti
On October 25, the Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, once again tried to discredit Netgazeti. In a post published on his social media account, Shalva Papuashvili referred to Netgazeti as “a propaganda media outlet supporting terrorists.”
A Georgian Dream representative verbally attacked journalists from TV Pirveli and Formula
On October 31, Georgian Dream representative from Tbilisi City Council, Otar Chrdileli, verbally abused journalists from TV companies “Formula” and “Pirveli”.
The Georgian Public Broadcaster has imposed a disciplinary sanction on Kakha Melikidze for the second time
On October 25, Kakha Melikidze, the director of the on-air equipment and technology group at the Public Broadcaster, wrote on social media that he had received another warning from the channel and would be fined 30% of his November salary.
TV Formula founder and director Giorgi Liponava arrested for participating in a protest
On October 24, 2025, the founder and director of TV Formula, Giorgi Liponava, was arrested for participating in a protest. He was sentenced to three days of administrative detention.
