Georgia

POSTV, a TV channel critical of Georgia’s liberal opposition, has officially become the media arm of a newly-formed parliamentary faction known for launching conspiratorial critiques against Georgian opposition, Ukraine, the European Union, and American officials. The channel also recently came under the majority ownership of a member of a sitting member of parliament, in violation of Georgian law.

POSTV Popular Force

The Georgian Parliament voted to overrule President Salome Zurabishvili’s veto and pass a controversial surveillance bill criticized by the political opposition, the US Embassy, the Venice Commission, and local non-governmental organizations. The bill removes much oversight and grants investigative agencies broad leeway to conduct covert surveillance, despite Georgia’s troubled history with widespread surveillance and wiretapping of private citizens, journalists, and opposition politicians.

Surveillance Privacy Salome Zurabishvili

The Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) acceded to a request by the ruling Georgian Dream political party to fine one and warn two media outlets for airing a civil society-funded advertisement that encouraged Georgians to attend rallies in support of the membership to the European Union (EU). The GNCC ruled that the ad constituted political campaigning outside of a campaign period. The ruling has been condemned by human rights organizations, who note it represents an escalation in the Georgian Dream’s efforts to use state resources to pressure and silence critical media outlets.

Freedom of Expression Political Pressure