Georgian Dream moves to restrict media coverage of court proceedings

The ruling Georgian Dream party has introduced a new legislative package that significantly restricts media access to court proceedings, including limitations on filming and photography inside courtrooms, corridors, and even courtyards.

Under the current law, media outlets—including the public broadcaster—can film, photograph, and record court proceedings without prior restrictions, provided they submit a request in advance. However, amendments proposed by Georgian Dream and its satellite group, People's Power, would strip the media of this right and assign exclusive control over court recordings to the judiciary or an authorized individual.

The draft law, submitted to parliament on June 18 and published today, seeks to amend the Organic Law on Common Courts. One of its key clauses directly targets media coverage of legal proceedings.

Key provisions of the draft law:

- Filming, photography, and live broadcasting will be prohibited in courtrooms, corridors, and courtyards.

- Only the court or its authorized representative may carry out recordings.

- Access to recordings will be granted at the court's discretion, provided it does not violate existing laws.

- Video or audio recording of court sessions will only be allowed upon a formal request and a substantiated ruling by the presiding judge.

- The current provision allowing unrestricted media recording in common areas, including corridors and courtyards, will be entirely removed.

- Additionally, the law would authorize the confiscation of personal items such as phones, laptops, and recording devices from anyone entering the court building, which was previously prohibited.

The bill’s authors justify the changes by claiming the need to ensure the "effective administration of justice" and prevent disruption of court proceedings, while still maintaining a degree of transparency.

The initiative is spearheaded by Georgian Dream and People's Power MPs, including Archil Gorduladze, Tornike Cheishvili, Rati Ionatamishvili, Aluda Gudushauri, Davit Matikashvili, Tengiz Sharmanashvili, Aleksandre Tabatadze, Guram Macharashvili, and Akaki Aladashvili.

Under the current law, the Public Broadcaster has first priority to record court proceedings. If it chooses not to, other media outlets are then allowed to do so. The proposed changes would end this practice, raising serious concerns among journalists and civil society about growing media censorship and declining transparency in Georgia’s judiciary.