While covering the October 4, 2025 rally, according to information released by the Public Broadcaster, a protester allegedly threw an “unknown liquid” at the news program’s “Moambe” crew, resulting in injuries to journalist Shalva Sumbadze and cameraman Nika Tsirekidze.
MP of the Georgian Dream and Chairman of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, referred to TV Pirveli as “Khazaradze’s television”
On October 4, 2025, the day of the local self-government 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, called some of the information disseminated by TV Pirveli from the polling stations “funny and curious” and referred to the TV company as “Khazaradze’s TV.”
Attack on propertyDamage to equipmentSeizure or confiscation of equipment
Project 64 team loses control of drone during October 4 rally
Project 64 lost its drone camera during the October 4, 2025 rally. Project 64 founder and journalist Giorgi Gogua wrote on social media that the camera was filming near the parliament building when it suddenly started flying erratically and lost control.
Shalva Papuashvili Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia Targets Independent Publication Publika Again
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 called TOK2Region “party media spreading disinformation”
On October 4, 2025, the day of local elections (which were boycotted by much of the pro-Western opposition and the public), Georgian Dream Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili accused the independent studio TOK2region of spreading disinformation and referred to it as “partisan media.” Papuashvili’s statement followed a video released by TOK2region from the 4th polling station in Akhaltsikhe, showing two voters in a single polling booth.
Attack on propertyDamage to equipmentDamage to property (e.g. house, vehicle, office)InterferenceProhibition on filming
“Mauwkebeli” lost its drone during the October 4 rally
While covering the protest on October 4, 2025, the online media outlet Mauwkebeli lost its drone. “The drone suddenly malfunctioned during filming, as happened with other media outlets,” a journalist from Mauwkebeli told MediaChecker.
Attack on propertyDamage to equipmentDamage to property (e.g. house, vehicle, office)InterferenceProhibition on filming
“Netgazeti” lost its drone during the October 4 rally
At the October 4, 2025 rally, “Netgazeti” lost its drone. According to the information released by the publication, they lost their drone on Rustaveli Avenue. “Netgazeti’s” drones, as well as those of other media outlets, were allegedly specially shot down on Rustaveli Avenue, where we were trying to film the demonstration,” the publication said in the information released.
Police Physically and Verbally Assault Radio Liberty Journalist Giorgi Diasamidze
On October 4, 2025, while covering a protest rally in Tbilisi, Radio Liberty journalist Giorgi Diasamidze was physically and verbally assaulted by police.
A gas capsule was reportedly fired at a TV Pirveli film crew
A tear gas capsule was allegedly fired at the TV Pirveli camera crew, journalist Irakli Bakhtadze, and his cameraman. The incident occurred while they were broadcasting live from the Presidential Palace on Orbeliani Square.
Police Prevented Studio Monitor Journalist from Filming
On October 4, 2025, during a large-scale protest in Tbilisi, two criminal police officers attempted to interfere with Studio Monitor journalist Keti Tutberidze’s work and seize her phone.
