In recent days, the Parliament of Georgia has become a symbol of illegal restrictions on journalistic activity in the country. The rights of media representatives are publicly and cynically violated in the highest legislative body. An explicit confirmation of this is the ongoing legitimate protest against the Russian law supported by the ruling party "Georgian Dream", [1] during which the authorities deliberately hinder journalists from conducting their professional activities, namely, there are cases of illegal detention, restriction of movement in the parliament, denial of entry or expulsion.

Against this background, when the public's high interest is directed toward the ongoing processes in the legislative body, the Parliament cancels the accreditation of several media outlets journalists such as Publika and Tabula, [2] for a period of one month. This decision represents a punitive measure against the media representatives performing their professional duties and enjoying the right to expression guaranteed by the constitution.

Media Advocacy Coalition calls on the Chairman of the Parliament to immediately restore the accreditation of journalists, to ensure the protection of the rights guaranteed by the constitution for the media, and to create an environment for them in the Parliament where they freely perform their journalistic activities.

Media Advocacy Coalition is ready to provide legal assistance to journalists if necessary.

Hotline: 555 795 776

[1] Media Advocacy Statement: shorturl.at/chAS9

[2] Media Articles:Parliament's apparatus suspended the accreditation of three journalists of Publica, Publika, https://bit.ly/3L21yHV;Accreditation of Tabula, Publika journalists suspended due to protest against the law of agents, Tabula, https://bit.ly/3IOVEXT