On October 4, 2025, the day of local elections (which were boycotted by a large part of the pro-Western opposition and the public), the Chairman of the Georgian Dream Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, referred to the independent publication Publica as a “foreign-funded, propaganda” media outlet and accused it of a coordinated campaign of disinformation.

Shalva Papuashvili attacked Publica for its coverage of an attack on an opposition activist. (The day before the election, Igor Narmania, a young member of the United National Movement, was attacked and physically injured by several people in Tbilisi.) “Publica”, a foreign-funded propaganda media that spreads false information about Igor Narmania” (timecode: 3:55 – 4:37) – With this text, Shalva Papuashvili lists “Publica” among those actors who “act in a coordinated manner and spread disinformation, thereby interfering in the Georgian elections”.

Publica assessed Shalva Papuashvili’s next attack against them as incitement to hatred and violence. “We have already responded to Shalva Papuashvili’s attack once and we remind you again: “Publica” covers the current events in the country, including protest rallies, announcements, etc., within the framework of its journalistic activities. Shalva Papuashvili is trying to put pressure on our editorial independence, “Incites hatred and violence against us. If anything happens to any of our journalists, Papuashvili will be responsible,” – the editor of the publication Lika Zakashvili responded to Shalva Papuashvili with this post.

Recently, “Publica” has repeatedly become the target of Shalva Papuashvili’s attacks. For example, on May 19, 2025, Papuashvili attacked “Publica” for spreading information about MP Mariam Lashkh. Earlier, on February 1, he accused it of inciting to commit a criminal offense for spreading information about the rally.