Independent journalism under siege in Georgia
The Atlas Times automated desk · Published
Updated
Original reporting by GV Contributor · Global Voices
Adapted source excerpt: CC BY 3.0; adapted summary Terms and license
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Georgia’s deteriorating press freedom is part of a broader process of democratic backsliding, with the right to peaceful protest severely restricted, opposition politicians jailed, a decline in judicial independence, and more.
AI-assisted analysis. Published after automated checks; no human review.
Summary
Georgia’s press freedom has deteriorated significantly, with the country ranking 135th in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index. This decline is part of a wider democratic backsliding under the Georgian Dream party, characterized by restricted protests, jailed opposition politicians, and reduced judicial independence. The government has intensified its crackdown on independent media through the 2025 Foreign Agents Registration Act and new grant laws, which require government approval for foreign funding. These measures have severely impacted outlets like iFact, which lost 90% of its income, and Batumelebi and Netgazeti, whose co-founder Mzia Amaglobeli was sentenced to two years in prison in January 2025. Despite these challenges, journalists are persisting, with Amaglobeli receiving the Sakharov Prize in December 2025 while her eyesight deteriorates in detention. Reporters face physical and verbal attacks, with 65 physical assaults and 83 verbal attacks recorded since 2023, leading to a breakdown in trust between sources and journalists. To survive, media outlets are diversifying revenue through paid memberships, local events, and newsletters. In response to these pressures, 22 online media outlets formed the Sinatle Media network in July 2025 to share resources and funds, raising approximately EUR 84,000 to support their collective mission of keeping the 'lights on' for truth in Georgia.
Key points
- Georgia dropped to 135th place in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, reflecting a broader trend of democratic backsliding under the Georgian Dream party.
- The 2025 Foreign Agents Registration Act and amendments to grant laws have restricted foreign funding, causing independent outlets like iFact to lose up to 90% of their income.
- Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was sentenced to two years in prison in January 2025 and received the Sakharov Prize in December 2025.
- Since 2023, Georgian reporters have faced 65 physical assaults and 83 verbal attacks, with sources increasingly demanding anonymity due to fear of government retaliation.
- Independent media outlets are adopting survival tactics such as paid memberships, local revenue streams, and team yoga to cope with financial stress and burnout.
- Sinatle Media, a solidarity network of 22 online media outlets established in July 2025, was created to share resources and funds, having raised approximately EUR 84,000 through various events.
- The ruling party has pivoted foreign policy toward Russia, prompting over 500 days of continuous protests by pro-EU citizens following the disputed October 2024 elections.
- iFact, which pioneered paid memberships in Georgia, now relies entirely on local income after losing foreign grant revenue, including a monthly newsletter on sanctions evasion.
Context and interpretation
The excerpt illustrates how legislative and political pressures are forcing independent Georgian media to shift from expansion to mere survival, threatening the country's transparency and its trajectory toward EU integration.
Source: Global Voices
