The Center for Media, Information, and Social Studies reported that since November 28, 2024, a total of 147 cases of media rights violations have been recorded at pro-European protests in Georgia. The center released the data on Journalism Day, emphasizing a concerning trend of interference with the work of journalists, photographers, and cameramen, with cases of verbal and physical abuse.
“Journalists, cameramen, and photographers have been obstructed, verbally and physically assaulted, and have had their equipment damaged or confiscated. Recently, there has been a growing practice of imposing fines on media representatives for allegedly blocking roads while reporting from protest sites. Cases of journalists being harassed or even dismissed for expressing critical views have also been documented,” the center reported, noting that media professionals who covered protests in Tbilisi and other cities have faced many obstacles, including direct aggression.
Out of the 147 affected media professionals, 24 individuals were targeted more than once, experiencing physical injuries, equipment damage, fines, and legal actions against them. Police imposed 5,000 GEL fines on 17 journalists for road blockage.
The full list of documented incidents can be accessed at the following link.
