DEAR READER,

Building a sustainable independent media outlet is tough, ask any journalist who has tried (us included). I recently read an article by Hleb Liapeika in The Fix Media, who broke down the way that a Polish podcast pulled off a crowdfunding win. The article got me thinking about Georgia, where local elections are coming, the political heat is on, and independent outlets are regularly targeted. Opposition TV channels are still around, but funding cuts and party-aligned biases make them an unreliable source for many. As a result, Georgians are increasingly turning to social media for news and protests. So, how can online media survive in this environment? This week, Erekle Gozalishvili, Communications Officer at the Georgian Institute of Politics, will give us a deep dive on the topic.

Enjoy reading this week’s “brief”!

— Giorgi Beroshvili, Editor

Georgia’s political landscape has long been characterised by strong divisions, between the ruling Georgian Dream and opposition parties. These divisions are not merely ideological but deeply personal and polarising, often manifesting in street protests, parliamentary boycotts, and public scandals. A significant portion of the media often mirrors and even amplifies these divisions, further exacerbating the situation and polarisation in the country.

TV channels have played a significant part in Georgia’s democratic development. However, they have lately become subjects of political and economic threat. Major television channels often align themselves with either the ruling party or the opposition, compromising journalistic integrity and transforming the media landscape into a battleground for partisan information. Moreover, GD has full political control over the public broadcaster by placing loyalists as board members. This has been further expressed in politically motivated attacks on journalists, which illustrated the deteriorating state of media freedom. Constant attacks on major opposition channels and arrests of media figures in recent years has also signaled an alarming trend towards authoritarian control and further hindered the successful operation of traditional media in the country. As a result of this uncertainty and political pressure, the trust in traditional media has declined. This has encouraged a significant part of the population to seek alternative sources of information. Additionally, financial dependency on politically connected sponsors has further eroded the editorial independence of traditional media. In some cases, self-censorship is becoming a survival tactic among journalists who fear repercussions for critical reporting. Media watchdogs have documented a consistent pattern of harassment and smear campaigns against reporters, which further weakens the role of press as a democratic check.

While traditional media is under oppression and experiences reduced influence, online media has become a vibrant space for independent journalism, civic activism and youth engagement. Online media outlets like Netgazeti, OC Media and Tabula have provided investigative reporting free from political interference and agenda. At the same time, social media has empowered journalists and activists to challenge dominant narratives, organise protests and mobilise public opinion. The 2023-2024 anti-Russian law protests and the pro-EU rallies against the GD government have demonstrated how online platforms can facilitate rapid, large-scale mobilisation. For younger, tech-friendly Georgians, digital spaces have become not only sources of information but a place for political participation and identity formation. This grassroots digital activism has allowed marginalised voices to gain visibility and build solidarity across ideological divides. Furthermore, platforms like YouTube and TikTok have enabled new forms of storytelling, where humor, art, and satire play vital roles in political engagement. These shifts reflect a broader global trend in which younger generations are redefining the norms of civic participation through creative and decentralised means. This is the reason why the GD government is trying to quiet online media by imposing a set of laws against their funding, which essentially means their closure or less influence in the society.

Online media has proven to be a powerful tool in promoting accountability, transparency, and civic engagement in Georgia. Investigative pieces published by independent digital outlets have exposed corruption, electoral malpractice and manipulation, and human rights abuses. This has often prompted mass demonstrations and unproportional governmental responses by police force. The accessibility of digital platforms allows for broader participation in democratic processes, especially among youth and rural communities previously sidelined by mainstream media. Moreover, online spaces serve as forums for open debate, helping to counteract the echo chambers fostered by traditional media and political rhetoric. In this regard, online media plays a dual role: as a watchdog against power and a catalyst for democratic renewal. For instance, during recent election cycles, online platforms hosted citizen-led monitoring projects and real-time fact-checking initiatives that increased transparency. Virtual forums and online petitions have given citizens direct channels to influence policy debates. In times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic or periods of civil unrest, online media has served as an important tool for real-time updates and community support.

What are the challenges faced by the online media?

Online media in Georgia, despite its potential, faces a number of challenges. GD often organises disinformation campaigns against to damage their reputation in the eyes of society and label them as foreign agents serving not Georgia’s but others interests. Coordinated trolling, fake news, and algorithmic manipulation can drown out factual reporting and inflame social divisions. Additionally, digital journalists and activists frequently face harassment, surveillance, and cyber-attacks, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship. The government has also proposed and adopted laws under the guise of national security or public order that could severely restrict online expression. Furthermore, since 2024 online media outlets are not accredited to report from the Parliament building. The ruling party justified this decision as a security measure, but it remains unclear how online media could pose a threat, when traditional media is usually allowed in. These challenges highlight the fragility of online media as a bastion of democracy in Georgia. Another concern is the growing commercialisation of social media platforms, which can prioritise sensational content over substantive reporting. Algorithms designed to maximise engagement often elevate polarising or misleading material, undermining informed discourse. The lack of robust digital education and critical media literacy programs further exacerbates these problems, making users more susceptible to manipulation, disinformation and misinformation. For online media to function effectively as a democratic safeguard, systemic efforts must be made to enhance cybersecurity, safeguard digital rights, and promote ethical standards for online communication.

What does the future hold?

The future of online media in Georgia remains uncertain. On one hand, there is growing international support for press freedom and digital rights, as well as resilient civil society movements pushing back against authoritarianism. On the other hand, increased state surveillance, repressions, and disinformation continue to threaten the integrity of online media. To make sure, Georgian democracy survives, online media should be protected and empowered by all domestic and international actors. The active involvement of the EU, business, human rights organisations and individuals will be essential in ensuring that online media remains a platform for democratic expression rather than a casualty of political control from GD in the future. At the same time, cross-sectoral cooperation between media outlets, universities and NGOs could strengthen media literacy and build a more resilient informational system, which could serve as a foundation for saving Georgian democracy.

From today's viewpoint, Georgia’s diaspora in different parts of the world could play a growing role in strengthening online media in Georgia and pressuring international actors to respond to media crackdowns by targeted sanctions on GD officials. Thus, to make sure, Georgian online media remains as a last bastion of democracy in the country, it requires a coordinated and sustained effort from both national and international levels. Otherwise, with diminishing free media, Georgia could join the camp of authoritarian countries.

— Erekle Gozalishvili, MA European Studies, University of Regensburg