Violence against journalists in Georgia increased nearly fivefold in 2024, report finds
Ammar Anwer/ej
30.12.2024, 17:48
Nearly 200 cases of violence against media representatives were reported in Georgia in 2024. Illustrative photo via Fabrizio Villa/Getty Images.
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The number of attacks on journalists in Georgia was nearly five times higher in 2024 than the previous year, the Georgian chapter of global rights watchdog Transparency International has said in a report.
The South Caucasus nation of 3.7 million has been embroiled in political turmoil since October’s disputed parliamentary elections, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory, but the opposition, including then-President Salome Zourabichvili, alleged foul play.
Tensions hit a new high in late November when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze abruptly suspended Georgia’s EU membership talks, sparking nationwide protests.
The protests resulted in over 220 arrests, with Georgian police using tear gas and water cannons to quell the demonstrations.
On Monday, the non-governmental organization Transparency International Georgia published a report highlighting that nearly 200 cases of violence against media representatives were reported in Georgia in 2024, with 80% of the incidents occurring in the last quarter amid anti-government protests.
It said: “Since November 28, the start of the pro-European demonstrations, non-governmental organizations have documented more than 90 cases of violations of media representatives’ rights.
“These included targeted attacks, severe physical injuries, unlawful detentions, fines, deliberate damage to equipment, illegal interference with journalistic activities, injuries caused by tear gas, sprays, and water cannons, threats, and insults.”
It added that between January 1 and November 30, 16 criminal cases were opened related to alleged unlawful interference in journalists’ professional activities, nine of which are still under investigation.
The report mentioned that violence was also reported on October 26, the parliamentary election day, when 70 media representatives were prevented from performing their duties.
It continued: “The frequent attacks, threats, obstruction of professional activities, intimidation, and attempts to discredit journalists clearly illustrate the ruling power’s lack of political will to improve the media environment and ensure safe working conditions for journalists.
The NGO also pointed out that in 2024, the trend of denying entry to foreign journalists continued, adding: “This year, several foreign journalists who sought to cover ongoing events in Georgia were refused entry without justification.”
The changes increase the legal grounds for police to detain citizens during protests and raise fines for offenses, with protesters now facing fines of up to 2,000 lari (€677) for covering their faces or possessing pyrotechnic materials or lasers.
Demonstrators involved in protests where pyrotechnics are present, whether they use them or not, will be fined 5,000 lari (€1693).
Organizers of protests where these violations take place may be fined as much as 15,000 lari (€5080) or arrested.
