Interference with professional duties | Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Denial of entry in an administrative buildingInterferenceInterference
Yellow Security Level in Parliament – Online Media Are Not Allowed in the Building
On November 26, the "yellow level" of security came into effect in the building of the Parliament of Georgia, which fully restricts online media from working in the Parliament. The restriction is linked to the speech of the "Georgian Dream" Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze.
Shalva Papuashvili is trying to discredit and intimidate “Sinatle Media”
The Speaker of Parliament from "Georgian Dream", Shalva Papuashvili, responded to a report aired on the pro-government TV channel Imedi targeting the association of independent online media outlets, Light Media, attempting to discredit and intimidate them.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Discrediting
Pro-government “Imedi” is attempting to discredit independent online media outlets
“Due to the segment prepared by ‘Imedi’ television, where Russian disinformation narratives and obvious lies deliberately fabricated by local propagandists are intertwined, we are submitting a joint statement to the self-regulatory body and demand a denial of the false information aired in the segment. We also demand live airtime to give us the opportunity to respond to these absurd accusations.”
Shalva Papuashvili is trying to discredit “Mtis Ambebi”
On November 24, the Speaker of Parliament from “Georgian Dream,” Shalva Papuashvili, accused the online media outlet “Mtis Ambebi” of hiding finances. He said that donors, by funding “Mtis Ambebi,” are financing xenophobia. This is how Shalva Papuashvili responded to a question from a pro-government television station about “Mtis Ambebi.” The journalist was asking Papuashvili about “Mtis Ambebi’s” coverage of the Eagle Hills project. Eagle Hills has been presented by the “Georgian Dream” government as an unprecedented, multimillion-dollar project.
The Prime Minister of “Georgian Dream,” Irakli Kobakhidze, is attempting to discredit and intimidate independent online media outlets
On November 24, the Prime Minister of Georgian Dream, Irakli Kobakhidze, stated that “associations funded from foreign countries are acting against the development of our country.”
The Parliament revoked the accreditation of a journalist from the TV “Formula”
On November 24, the Parliament suspended the accreditation of Dea Badzagua, a journalist for the investigative program “Shabatis Formula” of the TV “Formula,” for one month. The suspension of accreditation was requested by the “Georgian Dream” MP Maia Bitadze.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Physical injuryPhysical injury
GYLA: Mzia Amaghlobeli’s eyesight problem is reaching an alarming level
According to the Young Lawyers’ Association of Georgia (GYLA), the eyesight condition of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” is at an alarming level. The organization notes that Mzia Amaghlobeli has not undergone the necessary examinations and, to date, has not received proper consultation from a doctor, which is essential for maintaining eyesight and planning treatment.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Legal incidentLegal incident
The judge dismissed Mzia Amaghlobeli’s lawsuit against Irakli Kobakhidze
On November 24, the Tbilisi City Court dismissed the case of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” against the Georgian Dream Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze. In the lawsuit, Mzia Amaghlobeli sought a denial from Irakli Kobakhidze of the false accusations he made about her.
“TV Pirveli” journalist Giorgi Mamniashvili was fined 3,000 GEL by a judge
“TV Pirveli” journalist Giorgi Mamniashvili, who was accused by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of minor hooliganism and disobeying a lawful police order, was fined 3,000 GEL by Judge Zviad Tsekvava.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Seizure or confiscation of equipment
“TV Pirveli” journalist had their mobile phone confiscated in court
In November, at the Zugdidi District Court, a “TV Pirveli” journalist had their mobile phone confiscated. According to the television company, the journalist was only allowed to attend the court hearing after the court’s security service sealed their phone. “As an alternative, they were only offered paper and a pen,” stated TV Pirveli.
