**New Study Reveals Challenges Facing Georgian Media**
A new study on the media environment in Georgia has been released. The study, conducted by independent researchers, examines the challenges facing journalists and media outlets in the country.
**Key Findings**
The study identifies three key topics that shaped the political agenda of Georgian media in 2024: the passage of the Foreign Agents Law, protests, elections, and EU integration. It argues that the media largely failed to ask critical questions due to the overwhelming focus on the Foreign Agents Law.
**Media Under Pressure**
According to the study, journalists struggled to access public information, while sources became increasingly limited. The law also emboldened violent groups affiliated with the ruling party to escalate their efforts to intimidate and stigmatize journalists.
**Self-Censorship and Fear**
The study notes a significant increase in self-censorship and an atmosphere of fear among journalists. Many were forced to prioritize survival over development, and some even left the country due to threats and intimidation.
**Safety Concerns**
The study highlights the safety of journalists – physical, digital, and psychological – as the most pressing challenge in 2024. It notes that not only journalists, but also their family members, have been targeted with violence following the passage of the law.
**Conclusion**
The study concludes that “journalists note that such a repressive media environment has never been seen under any government.” The report calls on the ruling party to take responsibility for encouraging violence against journalists and to ensure that crimes against them are properly investigated and prosecuted.
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