Georgia's Press Freedom in Steep Decline According to New 2025 Report
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The situation for journalists in Georgia "continued to deteriorate at an alarming rate" over the past year, according to the findings by the Council of Europe's Safety of Journalists Platform in its annual Europe Press Freedom Report published on March 3.
The report, titled "On the Tipping Point: Press Freedom 2025," examined threats to the media in 46 member states. Georgia is now listed among the countries in focus alongside nations such as Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, and Turkey.
According to the data, 32 alerts regarding Georgia were submitted to the platform in 2025. This represents a 78% increase from 2024.
"The alerts reflect a broader dismantling of press freedom, driven by institutional repression, politicised law enforcement, the capture of state institutions and public service media and the erosion of effective checks and balances," the report stated.
The report reviewed several laws passed by the Georgian Dream-dominated parliament that have restricted the media environment. These include the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which introduces fines and prison sentences for receiving foreign funding. Other changes include amendments to the Law on Grants that require foreign organizations to obtain government approval before providing funds to local groups and amendments to the Law on Broadcasting that expanded the powers of the state media regulator.
The document also noted increased liability for defamation and insult as well as a ban on photo, video, or audio recordings in courts. Beyond legislation, the platform pointed to the arbitrary arrest of journalists and the freezing of bank accounts for several NGOs, including press freedom groups. It also raised concerns about the Georgia Public Broadcaster, noting that dismissals and program changes have "underscored ongoing concerns about the vulnerability of GPB's independence and political influence."
The report gave particular attention to the case of Mzia Amaghlobeli, the co-founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, who was sentenced to two years in prison.
"Her case has become emblematic of the fight for press freedom and democracy in Georgia," the authors wrote.
The document also reviewed physical attacks on journalists by law enforcement, the imposition of fines, and the confiscation of equipment. It noted that those responsible are rarely punished.
"Impunity for crimes against journalists remained widespread, with investigations often insufficient and perpetrators not held accountable, particularly those from law enforcement structures," the report said.
The assessment additionally mentioned several foreign journalists who were denied entry into the country during the year. While the report praised the courage of those still working, it warned that the future of independent media is at risk.
"Despite an unprecedented crackdown on the media in Georgia, independent journalists have shown remarkable resilience and continue reporting from the ground," the report said.
However, the authors concluded that "in the absence of effective checks and balances, legal safeguards and independent institutions, journalism in the country risks becoming unsustainable without immediate international support and pressure."
