Online media: Georgia’s last bastion for democracy in a deeply polarized society?

A view of Tbilisi and the TV tower on Mtatsminda mountain. Photo: Shutterstock

Georgia has been facing a political crisis since spring 2024. The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party reintroduced and adopted the so-called “Foreign Agents” law, which was followed by controversial parliamentary elections and GD’s decision to halt the EU accession process at the end of 2024. This has led to deep polarization in an already divided society, with people divided between those who have been protesting GD’s decisions since 2024 and those who remain loyal to GD or are content with their political course. GD’s decision to halt EU accession was followed by a series of repressive laws that have negatively impacted the functioning of free media in the country. In response to these developments, GD has introduced repressive laws and disillusioned opposition parties have become more fragmented and unable to unite or offer a specific, result-oriented strategy to their voters. While opposition TV channels still operate, their future remains uncertain due to reduced funding. Moreover, their positions often align with certain party interests, which undermines their credibility in society. Given these factors, and the recent trend of people using social media as a means of expressing their protests, online media has become a primary source of information for many Georgians. In response to this, GD is now targeting online media by imposing further restrictions on receiving funding from various donors.

Political polarization in Georgia

Georgia’s political landscape has long been characterized by strong divisions between the ruling GD party and opposition parties. GD often portrays every opposition party as a “collective national movement”, which refers to the former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement, in order to marginalize them as servants of foreign interests in Georgia. These divisions are not merely ideological but are deeply personal and polarizing, often manifesting in street protests, parliamentary boycotts, and public scandals. Since the controversial 2024 parliamentary elections, accusations of electoral fraud and authoritarian tendencies have exacerbated tensions which have already surpassed party interests. Indeed, they are already a matter of national security and the survival of democracy in Georgia. Civil society and watchdog organizations have raised concerns about the erosion of democratic checks and balances, highlighting the weakening independence of the judiciary and the shrinking space for dissent. This entrenched polarization undermines public trust in institutions and creates an environment in which factual discourse becomes secondary to partisan narratives, making the role of unbiased information sources more critical than ever. Furthermore, such polarization has permeated everyday life, dividing communities, families and workplaces along political lines. GD’s determination to prohibit opposition parties and a general lack of compromise have hindered the possibility of dialogue and a resolution to the political crisis. A significant portion of the media, ideally a platform for public discussion and accountability, often mirrors and even amplifies these divisions, further exacerbating the situation and polarization in the country.

Traditional media under threat

TV channels have played a significant part in Georgia’s democratic development. However, they have lately become subjects of political and economic threat. Major television channels often align themselves with either the ruling party or the opposition, compromising journalistic integrity and transforming the media landscape into a battleground for partisan information. Moreover, GD now has full political control over the public broadcaster after making loyal party men and journalists board members at the TV channel. This has been further expressed in politically motivated attacks on journalists, which only illustrate the deteriorating state of media freedom. Constant attacks on major opposition channels and the arrests of media figures in recent years have also signalled an alarming trend towards authoritarian control, further hindering the successful operation of traditional media in the country. As a result of this uncertainty and political pressure, trust in traditional media has declined. This has encouraged a significant part of the population to seek alternative sources of information. Additionally, financial dependency on politically connected sponsors has further eroded the editorial independence of traditional media. In some cases, self-censorship is becoming a survival tactic among journalists who fear repercussions for critical reporting. Media watchdogs have documented a consistent pattern of harassment and smear campaigns against reporters, which further weakens the press’s role as a democratic check.

Rise of online media and digital activism

While traditional media is facing oppression and reducing influence, online media has become a vibrant space for independent journalism, civic activism and youth engagement. Online media outlets like Netgazeti, OC Media and Tabula have provided investigative reporting free from any political interference and agenda. At the same time, social media has empowered journalists and activists to challenge dominant narratives, organize protests and mobilize public opinion. The 2023-24 anti-Russian law protests and the pro-EU rallies against the GD government have demonstrated how online platforms can facilitate rapid, large-scale mobilization. For younger, tech-friendly Georgians, digital spaces have become not only sources of information but a place for political participation and identity formation. This grassroots digital activism has allowed marginalized voices to gain visibility and build solidarity across ideological divides. Furthermore, platforms like YouTube and TikTok have enabled new forms of storytelling, where humour, art and satire play vital roles in political engagement. These shifts reflect a broader global trend in which younger generations are redefining the norms of civic participation through creative and decentralized means. This is the reason why the GD government is trying to silence online media by imposing a set of laws against their funding, which essentially means their closure or at least less influence within society.

Online media as a democratic safeguard

Online media has proven to be a powerful tool in promoting accountability, transparency and civic engagement in Georgia. Investigative pieces published by independent digital outlets have exposed corruption, electoral malpractice and manipulation, and human rights abuses. This has often prompted mass demonstrations and disproportional governmental responses through the use of police force. The accessibility of digital platforms allows for broader participation in democratic processes, especially among the youth and rural communities previously sidelined by mainstream media. Moreover, online spaces serve as forums for open debate, helping to counteract the echo chambers fostered by traditional media and political rhetoric. In this regard, online media plays a dual role: as a watchdog against power and a catalyst for democratic renewal. For instance, during recent election cycles, online platforms hosted citizen-led monitoring projects and real-time fact-checking initiatives that increased transparency. Virtual forums and online petitions have given citizens direct channels to influence policy debates. In times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic or periods of civil unrest, online media has served as an important tool for real-time updates and community support.

Challenges facing online media

Online media in Georgia, despite its potential, faces a number of challenges. GD often organizes disinformation campaigns against online media to damage their reputation in the eyes of society and label them as foreign agents serving not Georgia’s but others’ interests. Coordinated trolling, fake news, and algorithmic manipulation can drown out factual reporting and inflame social divisions. Additionally, digital journalists and activists frequently face harassment, surveillance and cyber-attacks, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship. The government has also proposed and adopted laws under the guise of national security or public order that could severely restrict online expression. Furthermore, since 2024 GD does not allow online media outlets to enter the parliament and report from there. They justify this decision as a security measure, but it remains unclear how online media could pose a threat, when traditional media is usually allowed in the parliament building. These challenges highlight the fragility of online media as a bastion of democracy in Georgia. Another concern is the growing commercialization of social media platforms, which can prioritize sensational content over substantive reporting. Algorithms designed to maximize engagement often elevate polarizing or misleading material, undermining informed discourse. The lack of robust digital education and critical media literacy programmes further exacerbate these problems, making users more susceptible to manipulation, disinformation and misinformation. For online media to function effectively as a democratic safeguard, systemic efforts must be made to enhance cybersecurity, safeguard digital rights, and promote ethical standards for online communication.

The future: resilience or repression?

The future of online media in Georgia remains uncertain. On one hand, there is growing international support for press freedom and digital rights, as well as resilient civil society movements pushing back against authoritarianism. On the other hand, increased state surveillance, repressions, and disinformation continue to threaten the integrity of online media. To make sure Georgian democracy survives, online media should be protected and empowered by all domestic and international actors. The active involvement of the EU, business, human rights organizations and individuals will be essential in ensuring that online media remains a platform for democratic expression rather than a casualty of political control from GD in the future. At the same time, cross-sectoral cooperation between media outlets, universities and NGOs could strengthen media literacy and build a more resilient informational system, which could serve as a foundation for saving Georgian democracy. Furthermore, from today’s viewpoint, Georgia’s diaspora in different parts of the world could play a growing role in strengthening online media in the country and pressuring international actors to respond to media crackdowns by targeted sanctions on GD officials. Thus, to make sure Georgian online media remains as a last bastion of democracy in the country, a coordinated and sustained effort at both the national and international levels is required. Otherwise, there is a risk of a diminishing free media in Georgia, which could lead to a long-term crisis in the country and Georgia joining the camp of authoritarian states.

Conclusion

To conclude, online media holds a significant promise as Georgia’s last bastion for democracy amidst deepening polarization and democratic backsliding. At the same time, online media is becoming the main target for the GD party to restrict their operations in the country. This is because it provides a relatively open space for independent journalism, civic activism, public engagement and political discourse, which is understood as a threat by GD. Therefore, domestic and international actors who care about Georgia’s democratic development should do everything possible to defend online media and their resilience against growing authoritarianism and oppression in Georgia. In a time where Georgia’s traditional democratic pillars are dysfunctional, the digital space and online media could be the frontline in the battle for Georgia’s democratic future. The stakes are high, but it is also an opportunity for Georgia and the so-called “western world” to build a more inclusive, participatory and transparent political culture through supporting democratic forces to overcome illiberal and authoritarian governance in a country placed in a contested neighborhood, aspiring for EU membership.

This text was prepared in the framework of the 2024/2025 edition of the Solidarity Academy, an international project of the European Solidarity Centre, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Warsaw, and New Eastern Europe. The project aims to inspire and support the development of young leaders across Europe.

Erekle Gozalishvili is a Master of European Studies, University of Regensburg. He is a Communications Officer at the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) and an intern at GIZ, Global Alliances for Social Protection, focusing on policy research, EU-funded projects, international events, and strategic communications. He previously gained experience at the European Parliament and the Aspen Institute Germany, in EU affairs, democracy support, and international relations and security.

Georgia, Georgian Dream, media, South Caucasus