Georgian Police Injure Journalists Covering “Foreign Agent” Protests Amid Press Crackdown

On the night of April 16, 2024, while journalists were reporting live from protests outside the Georgian Parliament against the proposed “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law, riot police physically assaulted at least four reporters, according to statements from CPJ and the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics. These protests, which erupted across Georgia through April and May, saw tens of thousands of citizens rejecting legislation seen as a Russian-style assault on independent media.

Riot police used pepper spray, tear gas, and physical violence, targeting media personnel as well as demonstrators. According to OC CRP, journalists covering the sit-in faced detentions, beatings, and camera damage. A Council of Europe alert noted that on April 30, numerous journalists were “attacked and injured” as police broke up demonstrations in front of the parliament.

CPJ and allied press organizations have expressed deep concern over what they describe as coordinated intimidation aimed at suppressing critical reporting. In a joint letter dated May 10, CPJ and 17 other organizations urged Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to withdraw the law, protect journalists, and hold police officers accountable.

Press freedom in Georgia has deteriorated rapidly since the government pushed the foreign agent bill. RSF, CPJ, the Council of Europe, and the Venice Commission have condemned the law, warning it would erode media independence and could threaten the country’s chances of EU integration.

The violent responses from security forces—including abuses specifically targeting media professionals—underscore a growing authoritarian turn by the Georgian Dream–led government. This crackdown complements broader measures such as media accreditation restrictions and the denial of entry to foreign journalists, signaling an escalating threat to public discourse .