Tbilisi

Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili Threatened a “Publika” Journalist with a Ban on Taking Photos During the Court Hearing

On June 11, 2025, Tbilisi City Court Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili, who is presiding over the case of eight individuals arrested during a protest, threatened Mindia Gabadze, a journalist from the online outlet Publika, saying he would not be allowed to take photos at the next hearing. According to the journalist, the judge addressed him directly: “She called out to me just after announcing the end of the hearing, while I was quietly continuing to take photos,” Gabadze wrote on social media.

Mindia Gabadze is one of the journalists who regularly attends court hearings related to so-called “prisoners of conscience” and reports on the developments. His social media accounts feature numerous emotional photos and videos from courtrooms, including visual documentation of statements made by the prisoners.

Recently, the court system has increasingly restricted media coverage of judicial proceedings. Between May 22 and June 11, 2025, there were four recorded incidents (on May 22, 23, 29, and 30) in Tbilisi City Court where reporters equipped with photo and video cameras were denied entry. On June 10, one hearing was entirely closed to the media, including those previously granted permission to record. All of these instances occurred during hearings deemed to be of high public interest and considered to involve political cases.

The Media Advocacy Coalition stated that these actions set a dangerous precedent and reflect the ruling party Georgian Dream’s deliberate policy of restricting the press.

“Banning media access to court proceedings not only violates the rights of journalists but also infringes upon the public’s right to be informed. With such actions, Georgian Dream is trying to withhold crucial information about important court decisions from the public and limit citizens’ ability to hold the government accountable,” the coalition’s statement reads.

Journalists Summoned to Court Over Criticism of the Politicians on Social Media

On June 12, 2025, six journalists were summoned to Tbilisi City Court for expressing critical opinions about the politicians on social media. The journalists are Eka Mishveladze (TV Pirveli), Vika Bukia (TV Pirveli), Misha Mshvildadze (TV Formula), Dea Mamiseishvili (Mtavari Arkhi), Vakho Sanaia (TV Formula), and Nanuka Zhorzholiani (independent journalist). They were informed that they are being accused of “insulting Georgian Dream politicians” on Facebook.

Three of the six – Eka Mishveladze, Misha Mshvildadze, and Dea Mamiseishvili – were found guilty of administrative offenses by the court and fined. Mishvildadze and Mishveladze were each fined 4,000 GEL, while Mamiseishvili was fined 3,000 GEL.

Misha Mshvildadze was fined for a February 8 post about Georgian Dream parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili. Dea Mamiseishvili received her fine for a February 25 post referencing Mamuka Mdinaradze, the party’s executive secretary. Eka Mishveladze was fined for a May 31 status about MP Mariam Lashkhi.

Nanuka Zhorzholiani is accused of “insulting” Georgian Dream MPs Tea Tsulukiani and Mariam Lashkhi. A decision in her case is expected on June 17. Vika Bukia is also being sued for allegedly insulting MP Mariam Lashkhi in a video she posted on May 13. Her case has been postponed until June 18. Vakho Sanaia’s case has also been postponed to June 18. He is accused of insulting Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and MPs Tea Tsulukiani and Irakli Zarkua. On June 20 it became known that Sanaia was fined 4,000 GEL.

In all six cases, the legal basis for the complaints is a newly enacted article 173^16 of the Administrative Offenses Code. This provision imposes liability for actions such as verbal insults, swearing, offensive slurs, or other abusive behavior directed at state-political officials, public servants, or equivalent individuals during or in connection with the performance of their official duties. Penalties range from a fine of 1,500 to 4,000 GEL or up to 45 days of imprisonment.

According to the Georgian Young Lawyers Association, posts published on social media, unless they contain a threat of real risk and are directed at politicians who have a high duty of tolerance, are protected by freedom of expression. “Any judicial interpretation made contrary to this standard would be a precedent for mass censorship,” the organization’s statement reads.

Legislative Changes Threaten Media Freedom

On June 12, Parliament passed amendments to the “Law on Grants” in the third reading with 84 votes. The amendments broaden the definition of a grant to include technical and expert assistance, knowledge sharing, and other similar types of contributions.

This change follows an earlier amendment made in April, which requires the government or an authorized official to approve the receipt of foreign grants. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, describes this as a mechanism to protect state sovereignty. However, civil society groups argue that the changes are aimed at dismantling civil society itself.

For NGOs and the media, international grants are a key source of funding for independent work. These amendments are viewed as part of a broader legislative package targeting civil society and the media.

Tbilisi City Court Judge Closed the Hearing to Media Representatives, Including Those with Filming Accreditation

On June 10, 2025, Judge Nino Galustashvili closed the hearing of 11 individuals detained during pro-European protests and expelled media representatives from the courtroom without any explanation. Notably, even those journalists who had official permission to film were asked to leave.

Previously, during earlier stages of the same case, some hearings at the Tbilisi City Court had been partially closed — barring supporters, family members, and friends of the defendants from attending — but media outlets with filming accreditation were still allowed to cover the proceedings.

According to the online outlet Publika, the judge’s decision followed a comment made from the courtroom, noting that participants had not been allowed to eat during the hearing. Despite journalists requesting clarification, the judge only announced the decision, providing no further explanation.

In recent months, the courts have increasingly imposed unjustified barriers on the media, hindering journalists from fulfilling their professional duties.

Legislative Changes Increase Regulator’s Control Over Broadcasters

On June 12, 2025, the one-party parliament adopted a legislative package in its third reading, which introduced amendments to, among others, the Law on Broadcasting. Under these changes, the Communications Commission was granted the authority to request confidential information about broadcasters from banks through the court system. A new chapter was added to the Administrative Procedures Code Of Georgia to reflect this amendment.

According to the Media Advocacy Coalition, “There is absolutely no necessity to grant such powers to the regulator. Furthermore, the additional powers exceed the agency’s overall mandate. Granting the Commission the ability to breach banking confidentiality creates a new tool for financial pressure and blackmail against the media.”

Initially, the amendments to the Law “On Broadcasting” were adopted by the “Georgian Dream” parliament on April 1, 2025.

According to the amendments, foreign funding of broadcasters was completely banned, the authority of the regulatory body, the National Communications Commission, was significantly increased, in particular, the professional activities of journalists were brought under the scope of regulation.

According to the amendments, it is prohibited for a broadcaster to receive direct or indirect funding from the so-called “foreign power” and for a foreign power to purchase a broadcaster’s services, except for advertising or product placement.
According to the amendment, broadcasters are prohibited from receiving direct or indirect funding in exchange for placing social advertising.
The law considers the following as a foreign power: a) a subject constituting the government system of a foreign state; b) a natural person who is not a citizen of Georgia; c) a legal entity that is not established on the basis of Georgian legislation; d) An organizational unit or other type of association of persons established under the law of a foreign state and/or international law.

The amendment also introduces detailed regulations regarding standards for television and radio broadcasting, due accuracy of facts and the right to reply. Regulations are also added on the fairness and impartiality of facts, inviolability of private life, obtaining and transmitting information using covert methods, reporting on armed conflict, accidents and other emergency situations, and certain issues related to the protection of minors.

Transparency International Georgia states that the law, among other laws adopted by the GD in the past year, pose a threat to the existence of independent media.

Together with this, the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, also known as the “Russian Law,” has been in effect in Georgia since 2024, which was adopted by the Georgian Dream last year despite widespread public opposition and international criticism. It aims to register non-governmental and media outlets as organizations representing the interests of a “foreign power” if 20% of their income comes from foreign organizations.

Obstruction of Journalists in Court During Performance of Duties

On June 9, 2025, journalists from “TV Pirveli” and “Publika” were obstructed in the performance of their professional duties inside the Tbilisi City Court building.

Giorgi Rosophidze, a police officer summoned as a witness in the case of Nika Kacia, physically confronted Natia Amiranashvili, a journalist from “Publika,” and prevented her from asking questions.

In a video released by the online outlet “Publika,” the police officer is seen attempting to snatch the microphone from journalist Natia Amiranashvili, while so-called police escorts forcibly restrain her and do not allow her to ask questions.

A video shared by “TV Pirveli” journalist Nanuka Kajaia shows a representative of the court’s security service interfering with her professional work.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs Denies Appeal by Publika Journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili and Upholds Fine

On June 6, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) rejected the appeal of Publika journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili, which challenged a 5,000 GEL fine issued against him. The fine had been imposed for allegedly blocking Rustaveli Avenue.

The MIA fined Mgaloblishvili in February 2025. The journalist submitted evidence to the ministry showing he was performing his professional duties—reporting on a pro-European protest that began on the country’s main avenue in November 2024 and has continued uninterrupted to this day. Video footage recorded by Mgaloblishvili on the day the fine was issued confirms that he was carrying out journalistic work. Additionally, he was clearly wearing press identification in the footage. However, the MIA did not consider this sufficient to confirm his professional status.

In contrast, in another case, an MIA representative explained that journalist Mariam Kvashebaya was fined for blocking the road specifically because she was not wearing visible press credentials that would verify she was working in a professional capacity.

“MIA once again confirms that journalistic work on the street has become punishable. Against the backdrop of legislative and physical attacks on the media, this is a very dangerous precedent—where the Ministry decides where I can work, how I can work, and what qualifies as journalism and what does not. Sooner or later, MIA employees themselves will understand why undermining the media is dangerous,” wrote Basti Mgaloblishvili.

Since November 28, 2024, according to publicly available information, around 36 media representatives have been fined while carrying out their professional duties. Most of these cases are still under review. So far, the courts have found two journalists guilty of administrative violations and imposed fines on them.

A member of the supervisory board of the state-owned company “Sakrusenergo” and a relative of a businessman close to “Georgian Dream” is publicly threatening journalists from “TV Pirveli”

On June 7, 2025, a relative of a businessman close to “Georgian Dream,” who is also employed at a state-owned company, publicly threatened “TV Pirveli” journalists Tamta Dolenjashvili and Nodar Meladze.

“Nodar Meladze, I’ll rip your head off (in the full sense of the word) and take Tamta Dolenjashvili down with you,” wrote Tea Gadabadze on social media. She is the sister-in-law of Noshrevan Namoradze, a businessman affiliated with “Georgian Dream.”

The investigative report prepared by Tamta Dolenjashvili focused on individuals allegedly hired through nepotism into high-paying positions at the state-owned company “Sakrusenergo.” According to “TV Pirveli,” one of those individuals is Tea Gadabadze, who, according to the journalistic investigation, is employed as a member of Sakrusenergo’s supervisory board.

Former Georgian Dream MP Physically Assaults TV Pirveli Journalist Tamta Dolenjashvili

On May 31, 2025, during the broadcast of “Nodar Meladze’s Shabati” on “TV Pirveli,” journalist Tamta Dolenjashvili presented an investigative report about former members of the “Georgian Dream” party being fictitiously employed in high-paying positions at various state-owned companies. The journalist approached one such individual, Luka Kurtanidze—a former “Georgian Dream” MP—at the Georgian Parliament building to ask questions, but was met with physical violence.

Communications Commission to Review Georgian Dream’s Complaints Against TV Pirveli, Formula, and Mtavari Arkhi

On June 5, 2025, the Communications Commission accepted for consideration the complaints filed by “Georgian Dream” against TV Pirveli, Formula, and Mtavari Arkhi, and will review them substantively on June 19.

On June 2, TV channels Formula and TV Pirveli released a statement revealing that “Georgian Dream” had filed complaints against them with the National Communications Commission.

According to Formula, a representative of “Georgian Dream” is accusing the channel of violating provisions of the broadcasting law that the ruling party adopted on April 1. The party submitted the complaint to the Commission on June 1 — the day the Commission was granted the authority to sanction broadcasters.

“The complaint seeks to censor terms that emphasize the illegitimacy and political bias of Georgian Dream’s parliament, officials, or institutions,” Formula’s statement says.

“Georgian Dream” is suing Formula over the use of phrases such as: “prisoners of the regime,” “regime’s court,” “illegitimate parliament,” “so-called parliament,” and others.

According to TV Pirveli, a 14-page complaint has been filed against them at the National Communications Commission, listing words and terms used by the media in various news segments.

The amendments to the “Broadcasting Law” were passed by “Georgian Dream” on April 1, 2025. Under the new rules, the regulatory body—the National Communications Commission—was granted significantly expanded powers, and all foreign funding of broadcasters was fully banned.

The Media Advocacy Coalition responded to the situation with a statement: “The repressive legislation recently initiated and adopted by Georgian Dream deliberately restricts freedom of expression and the public’s access to alternative opinions and information,” the statement reads.