The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) is deeply alarmed by the Georgian authorities’ latest efforts to curtail media freedom and freedom of expression.
On 23 June, the ruling Georgian Dream party introduced sweeping amendments to the Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression. These changes broaden the definition of defamation, increase liability for public insult, and—most concerningly—shift the burden of proof in defamation cases from the claimant to the defendant. This contravenes established European standards and gravely undermines protections for journalists. The proposed amendments also eliminate good faith reporting as a defense in defamation cases and significantly restrict media access to court proceedings.
On the same day, Batumi City Court ordered journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to remain in pre-trial detention, despite her deteriorating eyesight—a move seen as disproportionate and punitive.
These developments coincide with a broader pattern of repression. Opposition leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze were remanded in custody for missing a parliamentary hearing, opposition politician Giorgi Vashadze was sentenced on related charges, and poet Zviad Ratiani was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
IRFS calls on European institutions and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media to urgently respond and take concrete steps to safeguard what remains of free media and civil society space in Georgia.