The co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition — the United Kingdom and Finland — have raised concerns over the state of media freedom in Georgia, citing “troubling trends” in a joint statement issued on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
The statement, supported by 14 other coalition member states, highlights growing threats to press freedom and points to a significant deterioration in Georgia’s media environment in recent years.
“World Press Freedom Day… is a moment to celebrate journalism – but also to confront challenges,” the statement reads, adding that this year’s theme, “Shaping a Future at Peace,” is particularly relevant for Georgia amid broader pressures on democracy.
The coalition stressed that a free, independent and pluralistic media is a cornerstone of democratic societies, warning that modern threats extend beyond censorship to include disinformation and hybrid tactics that undermine public trust.
“In Georgia we see troubling trends,” the statement notes, citing data from Reporters Without Borders, according to which Georgia’s press freedom ranking has fallen sharply from 77th place in 2022 to 135th in 2026.
RSF classifies the country’s media environment as “difficult,” pointing to issues such as alleged official interference, violence against journalists and restrictive legislation limiting freedom of expression. The statement also references reports of at least 50 journalists being injured, detained or otherwise obstructed while covering demonstrations.
The coalition further cited findings from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Moscow Mechanism report, which documents patterns of violence during protests in Tbilisi and other cities in 2024–2025, including incidents involving journalists.
Concerns were also echoed by the Council of Europe, whose Human Rights Commissioner highlighted a lack of accountability for alleged unlawful arrests and excessive use of force against protesters and media representatives, alongside increasingly restrictive legislation affecting fundamental freedoms.
The statement also singled out the case of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, describing her arrest and imprisonment following 2025 protests as “unjust and politically motivated,” and calling for her release.
“The aim of imprisoning a journalist like Mzia Amaghlobeli is to intimidate an entire profession,” the statement reads.
Reaffirming its position, the coalition emphasized that freedom of expression and media freedom are protected under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and remain essential for ensuring accountability, informed public debate and democratic governance.
“On this World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to advocate for safety for journalists everywhere,” the statement concludes.
