For Free Media
The Media Advocacy Coalition (MAC) unites 17 non-governmental organizations focused on media issues and defending media rights. By applying a combination of their efforts and expertise, MAC members contribute to free media environment in Georgia.
MAC’s key activities include protecting journalists and media owners, analyzing the media landscape, advocating for changes in legislation, and raising public awareness about the importance of free media.
Pro-European Protests
Amnesty International: Shocking human rights violations amid ongoing crackdown on protesters
A detailed briefing, based on testimonies from victims of police brutality, human rights defenders, and video evidence, highlights extensive human rights violations.
List of incidents involving Georgian media representatives
The riot police have deliberately targeted reporters covering Pro-European demonstrations. There are 90 documented cases of interference with media’s professional activities
Unmasked Executioners of Georgian Dream
The investigation uncovers the identities of the OMON leaders responsible for ordering the violent crackdown on pro-European demonstrations
Physical Attack on TV Pirveli Crew
Brutal Attack on TV Pirveli Crew Aired Live during covering Pro-European Rally
A PHOTO OF A GAY COUPLE SHARED BY PRO-GOVERNMENT MEDIA IS AI-GENERATED
The photo of a gay couple spread by pro-government media was generated by using artificial intelligence
IMEDI’S DISINFORMATION CLAIMING THERE WAS AN ARMED PROTESTER AT THE RALLY
Imedi, a TV channel that follows a pro-government editorial policy, disseminated a photo from that night’s protest rally, claiming it depicted an armed protester
Election 2024 Coverage
Georgian Dream’s Secret Network to Control Elections
Georgian Dream’s call centers confirming the payment of 150 GEL in exchange to their work on the Election Day.
Vote Secrecy not Secured
Widespread breaches of vote secrecy on October 26 Parliamentary Elections and a legal process associated…
Votes for Georgian Dream from Abandoned Villages
Journalistic investigation into the electoral success of Georgian Dream in the Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki districts,…
Georgian Dream Officials on the List of NGO Observers
Family-run “independent” NGO observer mission coordinated with the Georgian Dream party involved in election fraud.
Call Centers of Georgian Dream: who are the “Captains”?
Covert call centers of Georgian Dream to coordinate voter suppression.
Combatting Disinformation
In Georgia, the internet is rapidly becoming the primary information source for more people each…
Elections 2024
A significant event leading up to 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia was the ruling party’s…
Interim Monitoring Report of ComCom Activities
The Media Ombudsman, a member organization of the Media Advocacy Coalition, has published an interim…
Safety of Journalists
The safety of journalists in Georgia is alarming. Journalism has turned into dangerous profession- this…
Street Art Campaign in Support of Free Media
“Choose the Truth” is the slogan of the international campaign for World News Day, which…
Your Voice is Heard Through Media
Under the Georgian Dream government, efforts to curb media freedom have culminated in the passage…
What does ComCom’s “Mediacritic” see in the West, and what can it not see in Georgia?
Analysis of 139 articles of the “Mediacritic,” the web platform of the Communications Commission
Media Environment Indicators
103
Press Freedom Index 2024
77
Press Freedom Index 2023
Position among 180 countries according to the “World Press Freedom Index 2023”
58
Global Freedom Index
Partially Free. Evaluation on a 100-point scale according to Freedom House’s 2024 report
34
Democracy Index
Evaluation on a 100-point scale according to Freedom House Nationa in Transit 2023 report
13
Information Vibrancy
Evaluation on a 40-point scale according to “Vibrant Information Barometer 2024” by IREX
Use of Sources on International News
76%
Georgian TV
46%
Social Media
6%
Georgian Internet News Sites
3%
Western TV
2%
Georgian Radio Stations
2%
Western Internet News Sites
2%
Russian TV
1%
Georgian Press
International Evaluations
”We have observed the deterioration of press freedom as well as human rights at large in Georgia. It has been made clear to us that a wide range of tools and mechanisms are used to discredit and curtail dissenting voices, including those of independent journalists. “
”The environment remains hostile for independent and opposition media, with a growing number of verbal and physical attacks against journalists, and attempts to pass laws aimed at marginalising the independent media and narrowing the space for free speech.”
”Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) have emerged as a troubling phenomenon in Georgia, increasingly targeting critical media organisations and journalists.”
”In 2023, pro-government media notably escalated propaganda, offering unethical and manipulative content to the public.”
”Barring journalists from the Parliament represents yet another step by Georgia’s authorities in its crackdown on independent media. The barring of journalists from Parliament deprives the public of information on the activities of the legislative branch. “
”Tens of cases of wiretapping of journalists are yet to be investigated. The practice of interference with journalistic activity and intensification of self-censorship has a systemic character”
Challenges To Free Media
News & Statements
Your Voice is Heard Through Media!
Amnesty International: Shocking human rights violations amid ongoing crackdown on protesters
Read more: Amnesty International: Shocking human rights violations amid ongoing crackdown on protestersJournalists around the world stand in solidarity with Georgian media
Read more: Journalists around the world stand in solidarity with Georgian mediaList of incidents involving Georgian media representatives
Read more: List of incidents involving Georgian media representativesViolence Against Media Escalates During Georgia’s EU Protest Crisis
Read more: Violence Against Media Escalates During Georgia’s EU Protest CrisisIPI and partner organizations condemn assault on journalists during demonstrations in Tbilisi
Read more: IPI and partner organizations condemn assault on journalists during demonstrations in TbilisiGeorgian Parliament bars non-broadcast media access, amid other restrictions
Read more: Georgian Parliament bars non-broadcast media access, amid other restrictionsMedia Advocacy Coalition Statement on Violence Against Journalists
Read more: Media Advocacy Coalition Statement on Violence Against JournalistsGeorgian Media Under Unprecedented Pressure Ahead of Parliamentary Elections
Read more: Georgian Media Under Unprecedented Pressure Ahead of Parliamentary ElectionsConstitutional Court’s decision on the lawsuit against the Russian law
Read more: Constitutional Court’s decision on the lawsuit against the Russian lawGeorgian Dream Exploits the Tragedy of Ukrainian People for Political Gain
Read more: Georgian Dream Exploits the Tragedy of Ukrainian People for Political GainRussian Law- Threat to Free Media
Read more: Russian Law- Threat to Free MediaThe coalition responded to the Court’s decision to leave Nika Gvaramia in the custody
Read more: The coalition responded to the Court’s decision to leave Nika Gvaramia in the custody
Studies & Analytics
Amnesty International: Shocking human rights violations amid ongoing crackdown on protesters
A detailed briefing, based on testimonies from victims of police brutality, human rights defenders, and video…
Vibrant Information Barometer
The Vibrant Information Barometer is an annual study by IREX that tracks how information is produced,…
THE GLOBAL WAR PARTY CONSPIRACY
ISFED’s analysis of THE GLOBAL WAR PARTY CONSPIRACY: ITS ORIGINS, INTERNATIONAL EXAMPLES AND ASSOCIATED THREATS…
Media Environment in Georgia 2023
The Human Rights Center, the member of the Media Advocacy Coalition has published a new…
SLAPP Cases in Georgia-New Threat to Media Freedom
GDI, member of the MAC publishes new report on SLAPP Cases in Georgia. Legal disputes…
Media environment from May 3 to May 3: Chronology of backsliding
TI Georgia, the member of the Media Advocacy Coalition’s article on media environment. The media…
Anti Western Propaganda
An analysis by “Rights Georgia” focuses on the trends of anti-Western and anti-European propaganda in…
Access to Public Information by the Media: Legislation v. Reality
The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), with support from the Open Society…
Media Freedom In Georgia
Georgian Democracy Initiative, the member of the MAC publishes report on Media Freedom in Georgia…
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT “ALT-INFO”?
Dedicated to Lekso Lashkarava The cameraman who was the victim of a large-scale attack on…
MEDIA ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT Local Self-Government Elections in Georgia, 2021 Rounds I & II
The following report aims to assess the media environment during the 2021 local regional government elections…
Assessment of Media Environment during the Second Round of Local Self-Government Elections
The Media Advocacy Coalition observed that journalists and cameramen faced significant challenges in performing their…
MAC Members
Partners
