The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium has published a media monitoring report analyzing all media freedom violations recorded in EU member and candidate countries during the first half of 2025 (January-June).
According to MFRR, 709 cases of media freedom violations were recorded during the study period, affecting 1,249 media representatives.
Georgia was included in the document prepared by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and the International Press Institute (IPI).
According to the report, 72 cases of media freedom violations were recorded in Georgia during the January-June 2025 period, affecting 107 media-related subjects. In terms of media freedom violations, Georgia is second only to Serbia among 35 countries.
MFRR partners warn that Georgia continues moving toward a fully consolidated authoritarian regime, as the ruling Georgian Dream party intensified efforts during the reporting period to curb media freedom and silence independent voices.
Key Findings on Georgia:
- 50% of violations (36 cases) were legal incidents, including 17 fines against 36 media professionals, 7 arrests/detentions, and restrictive legislation
- Most violations committed by judiciary (24), followed by government officials (20), and police/security forces (14)
- Impunity for crimes against journalists remains widespread with inadequate investigations
Specific Concerns:
- Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder/director of “Batumelebi”/”Netgazeti,” remains “unjustly imprisoned”
- Restrictive laws targeting media and civil society passed in first half of 2025, including FARA legislation
- Public broadcaster lacks independence, functioning as Georgian Dream’s instrument
- Recent firings of journalists Vasil-Ivanov Chikovani and Nino Zautashvili for speaking about political interference, plus cancellation of Zautashvili’s talk show and dismissal of five additional journalists
Overall Assessment: Since January, Georgian Dream’s regime continues using a broad spectrum of tools – restrictive laws, unlawful imprisonment, economic persecution, arbitrary fines, and smear campaigns – to further restrict independent, quality journalism in the country.
