Rule of Law, Human Rights and Freedom of Media

28 January 2025

The events surrounding ‘Mtavari Arkhi’ represent a trend of curbing critical media

The Media Advocacy Coalition is deeply concerned about the developments involving Mtavari Arkhi viewing them as a serious threat to the functioning of free media. These alarming actions are unfolding at a critical moment in Georgia’s history, marked by daily nationwide protests and widespread violence against the media and protest participants.

20 January 2025

Freedom of information in Georgia: Media and society in the face of systemic illegality

Against the backdrop of declining accountability of public institutions, the report assesses the current situation of access to public information based on IDFI's practical experience.

20 January 2025

IDFI Assesses the Developments in Batumi During January 11-15

The intensity of repressions in Batumi significantly increased during January 11-15. Law enforcement agencies detained dozens of peaceful protesters, including the director of the online newspaper Batumelebi, Mzia Amaghlobeli, and the operator of the same newspaper, Guram Murvanidze. In several cases, detentions were carried out because of the distribution of information stickers about the January 15 strike. Mzia Amaghlobeli, after being released from administrative detention, was detained under criminal procedure a few minutes later.

27 December 2024

Georgia's Press Freedom Index Plunges to 2011-2012 Levels

Between 2022 and 2024, Georgia experienced a sharp decline in the quality of democracy. The rights of the media and journalists have significantly worsened. In addition to the existential threat stemming from Russian-style Foreign Agents Law, journalists and cameramen have faced brutal physical violence. Freedom of expression remains a primary target for regimes moving toward dictatorship.

30 August 2024

The Personal Data Protection Service does not disclose personal data that civil society and media organizations are required to publish under Russian-style Foreign Agents Law

IDFI believes that, like the Russian-style Foreign Agents Law itself, the financial declaration form developed on its basis is not in compliance with personal data protection standards.

3 June 2024

Political Vandalism in Tbilisi on 31 May: IDFI’s Brief Assessment

The analysis of the incidents of May 31 indicates that the ruling party has two goals with this organized vandalism and systematic intimidation: to suppress freedom of speech and to create a false image of the damaging acts committed by them against Georgia, including the attempt to isolate Georgia internationally.

30 May 2024

We continue our legal fight against the Russian law

Georgian non-governmental organizations continue their legal fight against the Russian Law.

20 May 2024

Repressive effects of Russian Law

IDFI presents information about several repressive mechanisms of Russian Law. To whom does the Russian Law apply? What can be requested from people and organizations? What are the sanctions? Will the appeal stop the repressive decisions? Answers to these and other interesting questions can be found in the IDFI's overview.

16 May 2024

Russian Law must be withdrawn unconditionally

On May 14^th, the majority members of the Parliament of Georgia acted against the national interests of the Georgian people and the constitution by passing the Russian Law in the third reading.

12 May 2024

The Russian Law must be withdrawn unconditionally

We, Georgian non-governmental organizations, once again declare that the draft law adopted by the authorities in the second reading is a Russian Law in its goals and content, it is directed against the Western course supported by the Georgian people, and it must be withdrawn unconditionally.