According to the 2026 World Press Freedom Index report by the organization “Reporters Without Borders” (RSF), Georgia is experiencing a prolonged period of political instability and repression.

“The country has been going through a serious political crisis following the disputed parliamentary elections held in October 2024. The political climate creates fertile ground for political control over the media. Although Georgian legislation formally prohibits political parties from owning media outlets, major media organizations are typically aligned with the interests of politically connected owners. The same applies to state-owned media, where the government interferes in editorial activity and increasingly refuses to engage with critical outlets, resorting to censorship, smear campaigns, and intimidation,” the report states.

The report also notes that the government has not yet fulfilled the EU recommendation on press freedom, which is a necessary step before opening accession negotiations.

“Unlike previous reforms aimed at strengthening media pluralism and transparency, the government has adopted a repressive ‘foreign agents’ law, which imposes criminal liability on media directors and board members and threatens imprisonment for non-compliance. Amendments to the Law on Broadcasting prohibit foreign funding for broadcasters and increase the regulator’s powers,” the report says.

According to RSF, the advertising market for print and online media is shrinking.

“The less developed advertising market is declining in print and online media, which are largely financed by donors, usually Western ones. New restrictions on foreign funding have sharply worsened the financial sustainability of independent media outlets,” the organization writes.

The report also addresses the socio-cultural environment and journalists’ safety.

“Georgian society is marked by strong social tensions around issues such as religion, LGBTQ+ rights, and Russian influence, which also affects journalism. Journalists covering sensitive topics face increased harassment and pressure. They are often subjected to verbal abuse, physical attacks, and intimidation, frequently linked to political tensions and protests. Violence against journalists has intensified, and investigations into these crimes remain ineffective, contributing to a climate of impunity,” the report concludes.