Tbilisi

Georgia’s Parliament Tightens Media Accreditation Rules

By order eof the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, changes have been made to the parliament’s accreditation system. According to the amendments, individual journalists who repeatedly violate parliamentary accreditation rules will have their accreditation suspended for up to one year. Additionally, depending on the severity and frequency of the violations, an entire media outlet could have its accreditation revoked for up to a year.

Shalva Papuashvili justified these changes by citing a desire to adopt the practices of the European Parliament. The Speaker initially announced the potential tightening of media rules on May 14. His statement followed the European Parliament’s decision to suspend the accreditation of the pro-government broadcaster “Imedi,” a channel sanctioned by the UK for spreading Russian disinformation.

“Currently, violating accreditation rules in the Georgian Parliament results in a one-month suspension for the first offense, and a six-month suspension for a repeat offense. We have seen that a one-year suspension also exists in the European Parliament. Therefore, we will bring the Georgian Parliament’s accreditation system closer to that of the European Parliament,” stated Papuashvili.

Until now, sanctions for violating accreditation rules in the Georgian Parliament were only applied against individual journalists. Papuashvili noted that the European Parliament also imposes sanctions on entire media outlets; therefore, they will “adopt this experience as well,” making it possible to revoke a media organization’s accreditation for a full year.

The Media Advocacy Coalition views these amendments as a deliberate hindrance to journalistic work. “Under the guise of implementing European Parliament regulations, the Parliament continues to complicate the operations of independent media within the legislative body. Media accreditation mechanisms in the Parliament have already been used against independent media on numerous occasions. This creates a reasonable suspicion that the new regulations will further amplify the risk of selective and punitive approaches against the press,” the organization noted in its statement.

The tightening of rules for the media in the legislative body began in February 2023. Several security measures were introduced in Parliament, under which journalists who are not accredited by Parliament are prohibited from entering the building. It became possible to suspend a journalist’s accreditation simply based on an MP’s request. Furthermore, starting January 1, 2026, a new rule for issuing one-time special accreditations came into effect, creating even more barriers for the press. All of these measures have been repeatedly deployed against journalists.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze Attempts to Discredit Studio “Monitor”

On June 1, during a televised debate on “Rustavi 2,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze referred to the investigative Studio “Monitor” as a media outlet that “spreads lies.” Furthermore, he labeled one of the studio’s journalists as “ignorant” and “uneducated.”

The theme of the “Rustavi 2” debate centered on the challenges facing the capital. The Mayor’s visible irritation was triggered by a question from opposition politician Nika Oboladze. The inquiry concerned alleged corrupt deals involving the Mayor’s deputies, specifically Vice Mayor Irakli Khmaladze.Rather than directly addressing the issue, the Mayor of Tbilisi attempted to evade the question with the following response [Timecode: 1:05-1:06]: “He relied on Studio ‘Monitor,’ an outlet that has been caught in lies and fabrications. Including regarding me, by the way, on several occasions. Just recently, a few days ago, I caught a journalist in a blatant lie and exposed them… This is a clear example of how fabrications are manufactured in Georgia. Some ignorant, uneducated so-called journalist makes accusations, then an element posing as a politician repeats them, and you are left having to come out and defend yourself.”რუსთავი 2

Studio “Monitor” has published numerous investigative reports concerning corruptdeals linked to the Mayor of Tbilisi, including those involving Irakli Khmaladze. One of their most recent films, released on May 8, focused on the construction businesses of Kakha Kaladze’s friend, Giorgi Barvenashvili.

Note: It is worth noting that Kakha Kaladze has a history of using offensive and derogatory language toward journalists. The CMIS has documented numerous instances of such behavior.

Photographer Levan Zazadze Physically Assaulted by Unidentified Individual

On the evening of June 6, photographer Levan Zazadze, who was covering the “Saturday March,” was attacked by an unidentified individual near the Philharmonic.

The assailant first subjected him to verbal abuse before physically striking him, causing injuries to his face. The attacker was carrying a “Glovo” delivery bag and traveling on a scooter. He was eventually escorted from the scene by the police; however, eyewitnesses reported that the law enforcement’s response was delayed.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has launched an investigation into the incident under Article 126 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to violence. Despite this, it remains unknown whether the attacker has been formally arrested. Shortly after the incident, photos circulated in the media showing the assailant standing with police officers without handcuffs.The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has called on the MIA to punish these attacker in accordance with the law and to make a concerted effort to ensure a safe working environment for media professionals.

“The police’s indifferent attitude toward such crimes encourages violence aggressive individuals perceive journalists as easy targets,” the Charter noted in its statement.

Communications Commission Fines TV Company “Formula” 2,500 GEL

The Georgian Communications Commission found TV Company “Formula” in violation of the Law of Georgia “On Broadcasting” and imposed a fine of 2,500 GEL as a sanction.

The Commission initiated the proceedings based on its own media monitoring conducted during the month of April. The Communications Commission determined that “Formula” violated newly introduced articles of the broadcasting law that regulate content-related issues specifically, Paragraphs 1, 4, and 5 of Article 54. The Commission fined “Formula” for using phrases in its news programs such as “the head of the Georgian Dream government,” “Ivanishvili’s regime,” “the regime’s prosecutor’s office,” “the Dream’s prime minister,” and other similar terms. Additionally, it deemed the broadcast of a report about children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy without a comment from the Ministry of Health as problematic, ruling it a violation of the requirement to maintain balance.

“Given that TV Company ‘Formula’ had already received a written warning for a similar violation within the past year, the Communications Commission imposed the minimum fine of 2,500 GEL on the broadcaster in accordance with the Law of Georgia ‘On Broadcasting,'” reads the statement from the Communications Commission. “Formula,” alongside other television networks, received the initial written warning on April 8. In that instance as well, the Commission raised identical issues against the channel.

“The attempt to normalize censorship and interfere in editorial affairs is evident,” stated the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics in its assessment of the incident, expressing deep concern over this growing trend.

Parliament Revokes Accreditations of “Studio Monitor” and “Publika” Ahead of Schedule

The Parliament of Georgia has prematurely revoked the accreditations of the online publications Publika and Monitori, which were initially issued for a one-year term.

In the May 21 decrees signed by the Head of the Parliamentary Staff, Kakha Okrojanashvili, and delivered to the media outlets, the stated reason for the revocation is the absence of their accredited journalists from the Parliament for ten consecutive weeks during the current parliamentary session (February 5, 2026 – April 17, 2026). Both Publika and Monitor each had four accredited journalists at the Parliament.

The Parliament’s Public Relations Department told Publika that this is the first instance of journalists having their accreditations prematurely revoked under this specific article. This regulation has been in effect since 2023. Monitor plans to appeal the Parliament’s decision in court.

It is worth noting that a non-accredited journalist from Studio Monitori previously faced difficulties obtaining even a one-time pass to enter the Parliament. On February 17 and 19, Monitor journalist Marika Dudunia applied twice for a special one-time pass, but the Parliament denied her requests.

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has assessed the incident as a deliberate attempt to restrict journalists from independent media outlets from accessing public information and public spaces, thereby hindering the performance of their professional duties.

“All of this ultimately harms the population of Georgia, leaving them without reliable and verified information on issues of vital importance to them,” the Charter’s statement reads.

Civil Activist Tatia Mekvabishvili Subjected to Two Days of Administrative Detention for Protest on the Sidewalk

Civil activist Tatia Mekvabishvili was subjected to two days of administrative detention for protesting on the sidewalk. The decision was delivered by Judge Tornike Kapanadze of Tbilisi City Court.

Following the decision, the activist was detained on Rustaveli Avenue, in front of Parliament. After arriving on Rustaveli Avenue, Tatia Mekvabishvili herself called 112 and reported that a police crew should be sent to detain her.

Administrative proceedings against citizens protesting on sidewalks began after “Georgian Dream” adopted another restrictive and repressive legislative amendment on 12 December 2025. The amendments were considered under an expedited procedure within three days. Through these amendments, protest was effectively prohibited even on sidewalks. For a first violation, the provision envisages administrative detention for up to 15 days, and up to 20 days in the case of an organizer; in the event of a repeated violation, criminal liability may be imposed.

Nanuka Zhorzholiani Subjected to Three Days of Administrative Detention for Standing on the Sidewalk

Journalist and activist Nanuka Zhorzholiani was subjected to three days of administrative detention for standing on the sidewalk. The decision was delivered by Judge Davit Makaradze of Tbilisi City Court.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that, on 16 December 2025, Zhorzholiani had created an obstruction to pedestrian movement on the sidewalk in front of Parliament.

Bank Accounts of Aleksi (Buka) Petriashvili Subjected to Seizure

The bank accounts of Aleksi (Buka) Petriashvili, former State Minister for European Integration, were subjected to seizure. He learned about this after leaving the temporary detention facility following three days of administrative detention. “I came out and found my account seized,” he wrote on social media on 16 May.

On 14 May, Judge Tornike Kapanadze of Tbilisi City Court imposed three days of administrative detention on Aleksi Petriashvili for standing on the sidewalk. The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that, on 17 December, Petriashvili had created an obstruction to pedestrian movement on the sidewalk in front of Parliament

Another Sanction Imposed on Public Broadcaster Cameraman, Salary Deducted

The Director General of the Georgian Public Broadcaster has imposed another sanction on Givi Chimakadze, a studio cameraman for the Equipment and Technology Operators Group. By the director’s decree, 30% of Givi Chimakadze’s May salary will be deducted.

According to the order, the administration rejected the sick leave certificate submitted by the cameraman, which was issued by the Bochorishvili Clinic in Tbilisi on April 15, 2026. The reason cited for the rejection is that during the period specified in the certificate (April 15–20), Chimakadze was working for another employer.

“This was the job from which the Public Broadcaster was receiving a broadcast signal, again with the participation of the cameraman who was on sick leave,” writes Chimakadze’s colleague, Giga Kitia, who has also been sanctioned on multiple occasions.

This marks the second sanction for Givi Chimakadze. Earlier this year, on February 11, he was formally reprimanded for publishing a statement on social media.

The administration of the First Channel initiated a repressive policy a year ago targeting employees who are critical of the channel’s editorial stance. According to publicly circulated information, up to 30 employees have been subjected to these repressions during this period.

New Division for Public Communication Monitoring to Be Established at the Ministry of Internal Affairs

According to Mamuka Mdinaradze, State Minister for Coordination Among Law Enforcement Agencies, a new division will be established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Its function will be to monitor hate speech, offensive campaigns, and aggressive communication in the public sphere.

According to Mdinaradze, the division will observe any type of public communication, including statements that the government assesses as containing hate speech, inciting strife, violating personal dignity, or other communications of a similar nature.

He further stated that the division will operate proactively, and its response will not rely solely on citizen complaints. The agency itself will conduct monitoring and legal assessments, forwarding materials to the court when necessary.

Mdinaradze claimed that the goal of the new mechanism is not to restrict freedom of expression. According to him, “no one will be subjected to an administrative penalty for criticism.” However, in cases where communication takes on an offensive or strife-inciting character, the court may even impose administrative imprisonment.

The initiative to create this new division is particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of recent trends in Georgia, where there have been numerous instances of individuals facing administrative liability for public expression, including social media posts. In response to Mdinaradze’s announcement, Tamar Oniani, Chairperson of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, stated that the proposed mechanism “appears to be a form of censorship and has nothing to do with the balance of interests in a democratic society.”