Persecution for expressing critical position | Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Legal incident→Legal persecution
Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Appeal of Mzia Amaghlobeli, Founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti”
On March 4, 2026, it was revealed that the Supreme Court of Georgia refused to hear the appeal of the imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder and director of the publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti. The court's refusal to accept the appeal for consideration, or declaring it inadmissible, means that the court will not review the merits of the case at all and leaves the Court of Appeals' decision in force. With this step, the judicial review of Mzia Amaghlobeli's case in Georgia has concluded across all court instances.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Verbal attack
Pro-Government Channels “Imedi,” “Rustavi 2,” and “POSTV” Discredit and Stigmatize Independent Online Media
Pro-government television stations—Imedi, Rustavi 2, and POSTV—are labeling independent online publications Netgazeti, Publika, and On.ge as anti-Georgian media, discrediting and stigmatizing them because these outlets refer to high-ranking officials as the "Georgian Dream" Prime Minister and Minister.
Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
“Georgian Dream” Propagandist and Director of Pro-Government “POSTV” Shalva Ramishvili Attempts to Discredit Journalist Keti Tutberidze
"Georgian Dream" propagandist Shalva Ramishvili, the director of the pro-government and British-sanctioned channel POSTV, addressed Formula TV journalist Keti Tutberidze with a sexist epithet in an attempt to humiliate her.
Interference with professional duties | Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Interference→Prohibition on filming | Prohibition on filming
High Council of Justice Leaves Requests for Courtroom Filming Without Response
Following the amendments passed in June 2025, which prohibited the media from taking photos, filming videos, or making audio recordings inside court buildings and courtyards, journalists have repeatedly applied to the High Council of Justice for filming permits, but to no avail. According to the law, the High Council of Justice is the body authorized to grant such permissions.
An official | Chair of the Parliament of Georgia | Chair of the Parliament of Georgia
Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
Shalva Papuashvili Spread Manipulative Information About Mzia Amaghlobeli
On February 21, 2026, during a debate broadcast on the pro-government TV company “Imedi,” Shalva Papuashvili made a manipulative statement regarding the sentence of Mzia Amaghlobeli. He compared the journalist’s verdict to the sentence of a person convicted for slapping French President Emmanuel Macron.
Changes to the One-Time Special Accreditation Procedure in Parliament and Its Impact on Media Activity
From January 1, 2026, a new rule for issuing one-time special accreditation came into effect, according to which the head of the apparatus makes a decision on granting special accreditation no later than 5 working days from the submission of the application. The one-time special accreditation is a mechanism that allows journalists who do not hold parliamentary accreditation to enter the Parliament of Georgia and carry out their professional activities for a specific purpose.
The Communications Commission Initiated Administrative Proceedings Against TV Company “Caucasus” Over Donations Received from the USA
According to Nino Jangirashvili, head of TV company “Caucasus,” the Communications Commission has initiated administrative proceedings against the broadcaster on the basis of an individual donation received from the USA. At the Commission’s request, the broadcaster must provide detailed information about the received funds and the corresponding documentation within 3 working days.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “POSTV”
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
Attempt to Discredit Journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani
On February 12, POST TV Analitika disseminated visual material about journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani via social media, aimed at damaging her professional reputation and discrediting her. The content and format of the material contain degrading messages that go beyond the standards of expression permissible within the bounds of public interest and indicate an attempt to discredit the journalist.
Interference→Prohibition on filming · Attack on property→Seizure or confiscation of equipment
A Journalist from the Online Outlet “Publika” Was Obstructed While Performing Professional Duties
On February 11, 2026, in Tbilisi, at the Paragraph Hotel, during an event organized by the Iranian Embassy to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, unknown individuals obstructed a journalist from the online outlet “Publika” while performing their professional duties. A man dressed in traditional attire seized the journalist’s phone and threw it, then forced them to delete the recorded material. To ensure the journalist had complied, the individuals accessed their personal information without permission, including private photos, videos, and mobile applications. According to the outlet, the journalist’s press ID and personal identification were also confiscated, and photos were taken of both the journalist and the documents.
