Georgian Parliament bars non-broadcast media access, amid other restrictions

New York, November 27, 2024 – The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Georgia’s Parliament to lift all restrictions on journalists’ entry into the parliament building, introduced on November 25 amid widespread protests against alleged fraud in the country’s October parliamentary elections.

“At a crucial juncture in Georgia’s history, steps to restrict journalists’ access to Parliament are concerning and threaten to hamper citizens’ right to be informed about vital political processes,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator. “Georgia’s Parliament should withdraw the excessive entry restrictions on the media and ensure that the press is able to work freely.”

Under the measures announced by Parliament, only accredited broadcast journalists are permitted to enter the Parliament building. Journalists from non-broadcast media are reportedly barred from entry for an indefinite period. The restrictions also limit entrances to two teams from each broadcaster, with selected teams only allowed to report on parliamentary sessions from a designated area and not permitted to broadcast live.

The purpose of the restrictions is “to ensure a safe and secure working environment” in the building, according to Parliament’s statement.

Georgia’s Parliament has similarly restricted journalists’ access on several occasions since amendments allowing it to do so were introduced in early 2023, notably during protests over a controversial “foreign agents” law in 2023 and 2024.

Georgian opposition parties have alleged fraud and are protesting the results of the October 26 parliamentary election, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party was declared winner, and police have beaten and obstructed the work of multiple journalists covering the protests.

CPJ emailed Georgia’s Parliament for comment, but did not immediately receive a reply.