Georgia Sees 342 Violations Against Journalists in One Year, Watchdog Reports
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, May 5, 2025
A total of 342 violations against media representatives have been documented in Georgia over the past year, according to a new report released by the Center for Media, Information and Social Research. The report raises concerns about the growing pressure on journalists, especially during politically sensitive events.
The violations, recorded between May 2024 and May 2025, include physical assaults, illegal detentions, restrictions on filming, denial of access to public institutions, verbal abuse, fines, and administrative harassment. The organization monitors working conditions for journalists across the country.
According to the report, 112 cases involved physical violence, and 13 journalists were unlawfully detained. In 77 cases, media workers were blocked from filming, and 34 journalists were fined for allegedly "blocking roads" while covering protests.
Two key time periods accounted for most of the incidents: On October 26, 2024, the day of Georgia's parliamentary elections, 67 violations were reported, including 10 assaults and 46 filming bans. Since the start of the pro-European protests on November 28, 169 incidents were recorded, including 85 cases of violence, 22 filming bans, and 11 detentions.
The report reads that one journalist, Mzia Amaghlobeli, remains in prison following her arrest during the January protests. Most of the fines for road-blocking are still being contested in court. Only one journalist has paid the fine to date.
According to the report, 193 journalists have faced some form of repression since the beginning of the protests, ranging from police intimidation and fines to direct violence and obstruction of their work.
The Center warned that the data reflects a worsening environment for independent media in Georgia, with authorities increasingly restricting journalistic activity through both legal and physical means.
