Georgia
Although Georgia remains on the list of partially free countries and scores well on internet freedom, all is not what it seems: In its 2020 report, Freedom House highlighted how the country’s oligarchic influence negatively affects political decisions and media. Journalists suffer severe attacks and are prevented from carrying out their work in freedom. Georgia ranked 89 out of 180 in the RSF Press Freedom Index.
Media in Georgia are pluralistic with an emphasis on television, and at the same time, extremely polarized. In recent years, several new opposition TV channels emerged after the strongest opposition channel Rustavi 2 was abolished. In 2019, in accordance with the decision of the European Court on Human Rights, this free-to-air television channel was handed over to its previous owner. This led to a complete change of its editorial policy and the resignation of most of its journalists and to the emergence of two new pro-opposition TV channels. Meanwhile, Adjara TV, a regional public television channel, has been subjected to relentless pressure to support a particular party.
Media landscape
Despite the fact that the oligarchic influence in Georgia has a damaging effect on the media landscape, the country scored well on the section of ‘internet freedom’ in the RSF Press Freedom Index: 76 points out of 100. Although there are hundreds of newspapers registered in Georgia, the audience is strongly TV-oriented. Television captures more than 70 percent of the population. The advertising market is quite limited, and outlets generally depend on their owners’ political or business activities. That means channels are vulnerable to any changes in the owner status. State-sponsored media do not exist in Georgia, but the government does control several outlets. The most popular pro-government TV channel is Imedi-TV.
Safety of journalists
Several cases of severe violence against journalists occurred in Georgia. In October 2020, representatives of the independent channel, Mtavari Arkhi, were attacked while covering parliamentary elections. In February 2021, journalists from another independent channel, Formula, were attacked. In the summer of 2020, international organizations called for an impartial investigation into an alleged plot to murder Georgian journalist and TV host Giorgi Gabunia. Gabunia was threatened by Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechen Republic.
Our work in Georgia
Free Press Unlimited supports independent and professional media operating in the capital of Georgia and in its provinces. Regional portal JAM news not only has offices in Tbilisi, but also in the capitals of Armenia (Yerevan) and Azerbaijan (Baku). Another independent media outlet supported by Free Press Unlimited, is Tbilisi-based Coda Story.
Photo: Paul Enkelaar.
