The safety of journalists in Georgia is alarming. Journalism has turned into dangerous profession- this is the assessment of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists, and other international bodies which is shared by local human rights defenders.
Local human rights groups, coalition members, and international organizations are working to address this issue. MAC members, the Media Ombudsman, and the Human Rights Center have set up a free legal aid hotline to support journalists at risk.
In 2021, the public witnessed a media pogrom: on July 5, a large-scale attack unfolded live, resulting in injuries to nearly 60 journalists. Tragically, cameraman Lekso Lashkarava died two days after the incident.
The pressures on journalists have different forms: they face physical assaults, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, short-term detentions, and legal and financial pressures. It is concerning that some journalists now need security personnel to safely perform their work. Due to these difficult conditions, many journalists are leaving the profession or emigrating.
Impunity is a critical issue, as most organizers and perpetrators of attacks, threats, and pressures on journalists remain unpunished, further degrading the working environment for media professionals.
The worsening situation stems from “Russian Law” introduced twice since 2023, and enacted by the Ruling Party Georgian Dream in May, 2024 despite public protests and international criticism. According to various local and international organizations, as well press freedom and human rights experts the law stigmatizes independent media, restricts freedom of expression, and shrinks civic space. Throughout the demonstrations against the Russian Law, journalists and media workers have faced intimidation, insults, and even physical attacks, seemingly orchestrated by entities associated with the government.
Of particular concern are cases of harassment against foreign journalists, including entry denials, which negatively impact assessments of Georgia’s democratic quality.
”Most of the organisers and perpetrators of physical assaults, threats, smear campaigns or other pressure on journalists are not prosecuted. We observed that this impunity creates a hostile climate for journalists’ work. “
Mission of the Partner Organizations of the Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform and members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium
”For the representatives of critical media, obtaining and disseminating information about the vote was extremely difficult and dangerous”
Media Ombudsman
October 30, 2024
”Majority of Journalists in Georgia fell very unsafe. Physical violence, discreditation campaigns, restriction of information, and surveillance have become part of the daily reality for those who have an obligation to hold those in power accountable.”
