The media landscape is diverse and, at the same time, highly politically polarised. Manipulation, hate speech and disinformation are widespread in the media, especially on television, the country’s main source of information. Media owners often control editorial content, as was the case with Rustavi 2, a TV channel that changed its editorial line after its handover to a former owner, as well as with the public broadcaster GPB, which experienced government interference. Expanded regulatory powers now allow authorities to scrutinise media content, increasing the risk of censorship. Regional and community radio stations struggle with funding problems, while the print media’s readership is in decline and that of online news outlets is on the rise. 

The country has been going through a serious political crisis since its widely contested legislative elections in October 2024. The political climate is characterised by longstanding instability and repression, which creates fertile ground for political control over the media. Although Georgian law prohibits political parties from owning media outlets, the big networks generally defend the interests of politically connected owners. The same goes for state-owned media, which are subject to strong interference by the authorities, who increasingly refuse to engage with outlets that criticise them, resorting to censorship, smear campaigns and intimidation.

The government still hasn’t fulfilled the European Union’s recommendation on press freedom, a necessary step before starting negotiations on membership. Contrary to previous reforms strengthening pluralism and transparency in the media, the government even adopted a repressive “foreign agents” law, imposing criminal liability on media directors and board members, and threatening prison sentences for non-compliance. Amendments to Georgia’s law on broadcasting now prohibit foreign funding for broadcasters and expand the powers of the regulator charged with assessing the accuracy and impartiality of broadcasting content. This regulator’s independence is heavily contested. Revisions to the law on freedom of expression have weakened protections for journalists’ sources. 

The underdeveloped advertising market is declining in print and online media, which are largely financed by donors, usually from the West. New restrictions on foreign funding have sharply worsened the financial sustainability of independent media outlets. Combined with regulatory pressure and advantages granted to state-funded media outlets, these measures distort competition and threaten the survival of independent outlets.

Georgian society is marked by strong social tensions on certain issues, such as religion, LGBTQ+, rights and Russian influence, which impacts journalism. Journalists covering sensitive topics are facing heightened harassment and pressure. Surveillance practices and legal constraints undermine source confidentiality, further discouraging investigative reporting and limiting public-interest journalism.

Journalists frequently face verbal abuse, physical attacks and intimidation, often linked to political tensions and protests. Violence against reporters has intensified and investigations into these crimes remain ineffective, reinforcing a climate of impunity. The deteriorating safety environment has become a major obstacle to independent reporting and fosters widespread self-censorship.