Systemic harassment of critical media continues in Georgia, with Georgian Dream using financial sanctions to silence media voices – Democracy Research Institute

According to the Democracy Research Institute (DRI), systemic harassment of critical media in Georgia is ongoing, and, in the organization’s assessment, the ruling party Georgian Dream is using financial sanctions to silence media voices.

DRI reports that, following television, online, and radio broadcasters, pressure has now extended to regional media as well. According to the organization’s data, 17 regional broadcasters ceased operations in 2025. The press release notes that the suspension of broadcasting by TV companies “Hereti” and “Radio Tbilisi” is linked to declining advertising revenues and financial barriers.

The organization assesses that the state selectively uses tax instruments. As an example, it cites TV company “Trialeti,” whose potential shutdown, according to DRI, would mean the loss of an independent editorial platform in the Shida Kartli region. In the same context, the press release states that large broadcasters close to the authorities, including “Rustavi 2,” are granted the opportunity to restructure multi-million debts, whereas in the case of regional television, relatively small debts result in enforcement measures such as seizure and asset freezing, leading to the paralysis of broadcasting.

DRI also points out that, amid the write-off of tax liabilities for pro-government media, critical outlets “Formula” and “TV Pirveli” have had court-ordered seizures imposed on their assets, which, according to the organization, is an example of selective justice and politically motivated financial pressure.

The press release states that, as a result of this environment, “Mtavari Arkhi” has ceased broadcasting, while “Formula” and “TV Pirveli” face the threat of functional shutdown. The organization refers to the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (Manole v. Moldova; Informationsverein Lentia v. Austria) and states that the closure of media outlets constitutes a violation of the state’s positive obligations.

DRI considers the trend of content regulation by the Communications Commission to be alarming. According to the organization, the Commission has moved from recommendations to a sanctions-based approach, using subjective interpretations of the “impartiality” standard as a punitive mechanism. For example, the use of terms such as “oligarch” or “regime” may, according to the press release, become grounds for sanctions and legal prosecution.

The organization also notes that a legislative package adopted on March 4, 2026, turns international funding for critical media into a criminal risk, which, in its assessment, indicates an attempt by the state to establish a monopoly over the information space.

According to DRI, the current policy—beginning with economic pressure and continuing with legal criminalization—ultimately aims at the functional paralysis and destruction of critical media.

The organization emphasizes that pressure also extends to online media. In its assessment, the monitoring of social platforms and the obligation to register online outlets under the “transparency law” are contributing to increased self-censorship.

The Democracy Research Institute calls for an end to content control of the media, the use of selective justice, and the process of institutional neutralization, which it says contradicts Georgia’s European commitments.

The organization also calls on the international community and relevant institutions to use diplomatic and legal mechanisms to protect media pluralism, freedom of expression, and the rule of law standards in Georgia.