“Georgian Dream” adopted laws restricting independent media
The "Georgian Dream" parliament adopted new, restrictive laws against independent and critical media through an accelerated procedure. These are the "Foreign Agents Registration Act" [FARA] and amendments to the "Law on Broadcasting" and the "Law on Grants." These laws were adopted against a background of repression and violence taking place against activists and the media.
Police Officers Push Journalist from April News at Protest
On March 28, 2025, during a protest taking place in front of the parliament, police officers obstructed a journalist from the online media outlet April from performing her professional duties.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Discrediting
Propaganda Channel ‘Imedi’ Attacks Independent Public Broadcaster Journalists Nino Zautashvili and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani
On March 27, 2025, the propagandist TV channel Imedi spread disinformation targeting critically-minded journalists from the Georgian Public Broadcaster — Nino Zautashvili and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani — accusing them of receiving “illicit income.”
Tok TV and Samkhretis Karibche Journalists Barred from Akhaltsikhe Mayor’s Advisory Council Meeting
On March 26, 2025, journalists were denied entry to a session of the “Civil Advisory Council,” a consultative body of the Akhaltsikhe Municipality City Hall. Journalists from Samkhretis Karibche and TOK TV who arrived at the location were told that they could not enter the public institution because the meeting had already started.
Journalist Removed from Broadcast After Criticizing Public Broadcaster’s Policy
On March 23, 2025, it became known that Ani Jobava, a journalist and contributor to the morning program at the Georgian Public Broadcaster — where she had worked for seven years — was removed from on-air duties. The journalist announced the news on social media.
Journalists from Adjara Times and the Public Broadcaster Confronted by Georgian Dream Activists
On March 20, 2025, in the city of Batumi, Adjara Times director Sulkhan Meskhiadze and Public Broadcaster journalist Lia Toklikishvili — from the investigative program Investigative Reporter — were confronted by activists from the ruling party Georgian Dream while attempting to report on construction safety issues.
Judge Expels TV Pirveli Journalists from Courtroom
On March 19, 2025, Judge Tamar Makharoblidze of Tbilisi City Court ordered TV Pirveli journalists Mariam Gaprindashvili and Nanuka Kajaia to leave the courtroom.
