News

Over the past year, the Center for Media, Information and Social Research (CMIS) documented 434 incidents in Georgia that targeted journalists, media outlets, and civil society organizations working on media rights. In several cases, a single incident encompassed multiple forms of violations (e.g. detention coupled with physical violence).

Since November 28, 2024, during the ongoing pro-European protests in Georgia, journalists have repeatedly faced attacks and unlawful restrictions. There have been numerous cases of media workers being unjustly sanctioned while performing their professional duties — including fines for allegedly blocking roads while reporting on the protests, often without any legitimate basis.

While covering ongoing protests in Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia, a clear pattern has emerged: journalists, camera operators, and photographers are increasingly being obstructed in their work. This includes instances of verbal and physical abuse, as well as the damage to or confiscation of their equipment.

The Center for Media, Information, and Social Studies (CMIS) monitors the media environment in Georgia, studies the working conditions of journalists, and documents cases of violations of their rights.

The Georgian Dream Parliament has fast-tracked the adoption of new restrictive laws targeting independent and critical media. These include the ”Foreign Agents Registration Act” [FARA] and amendments to the laws on Broadcasting and Grants. The legislation was passed amidst ongoing repression and violence against activists and journalists.