Media Advocacy Coalition is publishing the statement, condemning mass violence against journalists, during their work to cover the protests in Georgia. See the statement, unchanged:
“The nights of November 28-29, 2024, will enter Georgia’s recent history as another act of systematic violence against media, executed by the “Georgian Dream.” Such organized violence against media from the regime represents an attempt to establish an authoritarian regime.
On November 28, following the election falsification by “Georgian Dream,” Georgia’s population was protesting the suspension of the European integration process. During the dispersal of the peaceful protest in front of the Parliament, law enforcements conducted a punitive operation against journalists, photographers, and camera operators – over 30 media representatives were injured and obstructed in their professional duties. The list of incidents continues to grow.
Special forces deliberately attacked media representatives, despite their clear professional identification markers. Live broadcasts captured instances of journalists being beaten, verbally abused, detained, and having their professional equipment damaged/confiscated, with the deliberate intent to obstruct media operations.
Methods characteristic of authoritarian regimes were employed against journalists, as evidenced by specific examples:
• The detention and beating of Publika journalist Alexander Keshelashvili, despite his active identification of himself
• The assault on Formula journalist Guram Rogava during live broadcast, resulting in severe head injuries
• The injury of five TV Pirveli employees, including physical violence against a camera operator
Among the injured journalists are representatives from the following media outlets:
• Publika
• Formula
• TV Pirveli
• Adjara Television
• Netgazeti
• OC Media
• JAMnews
• Project 64
• Mtavari Arkhi
• Radio Liberty
• Studio Monitor
• Media Aprili
Violence against journalists and restrictions on their professional activities harm not only the media but every member of society who has the right to be informed about current events.
The coalition calls on law enforcement officers not to execute illegal orders and to uphold Georgia’s Constitution and legislation.
For updated information about affected journalists, see the website of the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics.”
