Safety of journalists in Georgia

Incidents

  • 04.03.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • 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.
  • 04.03.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • 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.
  • 02.03.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Court | Court
  • 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.
  • 26.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • The Georgian Public Broadcaster
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Verbal attack Verbal insult

Lika Basilaia-Shavgulidze was verbally insulted by a member of the Public Broadcaster’s board.

On February 26, 2026, at a Public Broadcaster board meeting, Lika Basilaia-Shavgulidze was verbally insulted by board member Gia Iakobashvili.
  • 21.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • 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.
  • 16.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Administrative body
  • Risk of media outlet closure
Incident Type:
Legal incident Legal persecution

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.
  • 16.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Administrative body | Administrative body
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Legal incident

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.
  • 12.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • 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.
  • 11.02.2026
  • Tbilisi
  • Unidentified
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
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.
  • 02.02.2026
  • Gori | Gori
  • Administrative body | Administrative body
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Personal information Request for personal data

The “State Security Committee” of Occupied Tskhinvali Publishes Personal Data of Former Voice of America Journalist

The so-called State Security Committee of the Tskhinvali region, occupied by the Russian Federation, has published the personal data of former Voice of America correspondent Nino Dalakishvili.
GE / EN

In case you acquire information regarding the fact that a media representative was interrupted, please, contact us