Georgia Bars Foreign Journalists Amid Rising Crackdown on Independent Media

September 19, 2024 – Georgia –

Georgian authorities have intensified efforts to restrict press freedom by denying entry to several foreign journalists, raising serious concerns among international watchdogs. At least four journalists from France and the Czech Republic have been barred from entering the country since early 2024, with no clear legal justification provided. Media freedom groups warn this trend marks a dangerous authoritarian shift, particularly as Georgia approaches key political milestones.

In February 2024, French journalist Clément Girardot was turned away at Tbilisi International Airport without explanation. His colleague Jérôme Chobeaux faced a similar expulsion in March after being detained for hours. Both had reported extensively on anti-government protests and democratic backsliding in Georgia. In June, French photojournalist Marylise Vigneau was expelled from Kutaisi airport under similarly opaque conditions. She believes her work documenting pro-democracy movements led to her blacklisting.

Most recently, Czech journalist Ray Baseley was detained for 17 hours in October 2024 while attempting to cover the parliamentary elections. Authorities cited vague legal grounds to justify his deportation. Reports indicate that several other Czech and Swiss journalists were also denied entry around the same time.

The International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have condemned these actions, calling them politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to silence dissent. RSF has accused the Georgian government of using “arbitrary expulsions” to intimidate foreign media and obstruct coverage of civil unrest. These incidents coincide with the passage of Georgia’s controversial “foreign agent” law and growing restrictions on domestic journalists covering protests.

Media organizations argue that blocking access to foreign reporters undermines Georgia’s democratic institutions and international credibility, especially as the country pursues EU membership. The targeting of EU-based journalists signals an alarming erosion of press protections and a disregard for constitutional guarantees of free expression.

IPI and RSF are urging Georgian authorities to reverse these repressive measures, ensure transparent entry policies, and uphold their obligations under international human rights law. Without urgent reform, observers warn, Georgia risks sliding further into authoritarianism and isolating itself from the democratic standards it once aspired to uphold.

Reference –

https://eurasianet.org/georgia-denying-entry-to-politically-oriented-foreign-journalists

Georgian authorities refuse entry to two foreign journalists – ipi.media