Cultural and media professionals in Georgia are facing various threats, according to participants in a panel discussion hosted by Deutsche Welle (DW) on September 25, 2026, in Berlin. Georgian media expert Nino Robakidze expressed concerns about safety for citizens and independent media workers, citing physical, digital, psychological, financial, and legal pressures on journalists and media organizations. Robakidze's activism has made her a target in Georgia, where many journalists are reluctant to speak out due to fear of repercussions for themselves and their families.
The panel, titled "Democracy under pressure? The situation for cultural and media professionals in Georgia," included Robakidze, Georgian-born musician and filmmaker Marika Lapauri-Burk, and journalist Juri Rescheto. Lapauri-Burk noted the government's increasing creativity in detaining individuals with critical voices. Local civil society groups estimate that between 90 and over 100 political dissidents and protesters are currently imprisoned or in pre-trial detention.
Georgia, once viewed as a leading democracy in the Caucasus, is experiencing a shift towards authoritarianism under the Georgian Dream (GD) party, which has been in power since 2012. The party, initially pro-European, has increasingly aligned itself with Russia, gaining a larger majority in the contested October 2024 parliamentary elections. Following this, the GD announced a suspension of EU accession negotiations until 2028, despite strong public support for European integration, leading to widespread protests.
Robakidze noted that the pressure on independent media escalated after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which prompted an anti-Western campaign that significantly impacted the media environment in Georgia. Pro-EU protests erupted in 2023-2024 against new legislation requiring organizations receiving foreign funding to register with the state, which critics argue stigmatizes institutions for their foreign influence.
The enforcement of this law is carried out by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which has targeted civil society groups, conducting inspections and freezing bank accounts. Additionally, Georgia's anti-LGBTQ law restricts the promotion of same-sex relationships and non-binary identities in public spaces, media, and education.
The panelists highlighted the challenges faced by artists and critical thinkers in Georgia, with Rescheto sharing an example of a gallery in Gori that faced closure after hosting a protest-related exhibition. Artists have played a significant role in protests, with cultural expressions serving as symbols of resistance. DW's director general Barbara Massing emphasized the importance of music in transcending borders and fostering unity, referencing the recent launch of DW's Georgian-language service as a commitment to supporting free media in the region. Robakidze expressed hope for a democratic future, despite the challenges, stating the need for continued media support.