Georgia: Sophiko Niauri Fined in SLAPP Suit by Former Minister
October 11, 2024 - Georgia, Tbilisi
Tbilisi City Court orders TV Pirveli and journalist Sophiko Niauri to pay $3,700 to former Minister Aleksandre Chikaidze in a defamation case.
Chikaidze sought compensation for “moral damages” over a report on fraudulent call center detentions. This SLAPP case highlights the misuse of legal tools to silence critical journalism—a disturbingly common tactic in Georgia.
Women Press Freedom denounces the ruling and urges it be overturned on appeal. We demand an end to vexatious lawsuits targeting journalists for their work.
WPF condemns this crackdown on press freedom and peaceful protest. Journalists must be free to report without facing police violence. We demand the reporters are immediately freed.
Journalist Asuman Aranca is facing charges for "violation of privacy" after reporting on the Sinan Ateş murder case. The prosecutor demands punishment, claiming her coverage "exceeded the limits" of press freedom.
Emails specifically named RFE/RL journalists Iryna Sysak, Valeria Yehoshyna, and freelancer Yulia Khymeryk, blaming their activities for the alleged bombings without citing specific actions.
WPF stands in solidarity with Değer and demands an end to this judicial harassment. This baseless investigation must be dropped.
Pinar Gayip was briefly detained after being summoned to an Istanbul police station on October 14, 2024. She was taken into custody following yet another criminal complaints from lawyer Sezgin Keleş, who has persistently harassed Pınar due to her reporting on his conviction for "simple sexual assault."
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the sentencing of investigative journalist Heba Abu Taha to one year in prison and a fine exceeding $7,000 by a Jordanian court. This marks the fourth instance of legal harassment she has faced since 2020.
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the vandalization of Nevenka Medić's car, the director of the Kossev portal, which occurred over the weekend in downtown North Mitrovica.
Police have finally arrested the man harassing Mercedes Stephenson, political journalist and Ottawa bureau chief for Global News. Stephenson experienced ongoing targeting despite taking legal action against her harasser.
Opposition party Law and Justice (PiS) used footage of journalists like Maria Stepan in a political ad, distorting their statements to push a political agenda.
WPF vehemently condemns threats of sexual violence targeting the journalist at her home. Police must investigate.
WPF denounces the ruling and urges it be overturned on appeal. We demand an end to vexatious lawsuits targeting journalists for their work.
Women Press Freedom is devastated by news of Victoria's passing. She should never have been behind bars in the first place. We demand accountability from Russian authorities. Her family and loved ones deserve justice.
Women Press Freedom urges Slovak authorities to immediately drop the investigation and ensure that legal means are not weaponized to retaliate against journalists for their work.
Belarus’ Supreme Court has upheld a 10-year sentence in absentia for exiled journalist Hanna Liubakova on charges of "seizing power" & "extremism"—a blatant act of transnational repression.
Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy sentenced to 6 years for allegedly inciting mass unrest through her investigative work at Temirov Live. Her colleague Aika Beyshekeeva received 3 years probation.
WPF denounces this as an unacceptable obstruction of the public's right to know. Press must be free to report on matters of community interest without impediment.
WPF vehemently denounces prison sentence given to journalist for expressing an opinion online. We demand the conviction is overturned.
Court issues warrants for RAI journalists' arrest following their coverage of Ukraine’s incursion in Kursk. Earlier, the Italian reporters, who are no longer in Russia, were charged with illegal border crossing and placed on the Kremlin's wanted list.
Jimena Antelo facing smears from former president's legal team during TV interview.
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the verbal attack and physical assault on Top News journalist Alketa Shaba during a live broadcast in Tirana by an opposition demonstrator while she covered opposition-led protests.
Women Press Freedom strongly denounces the orchestrated smear campaign and attack on Blerjana Bino, Director of the Centre for Science and Innovation for Development (SciDev), and Osservatorio Balkani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) by the pro-government online tabloid "prapaskena".
Women Press Freedom is outraged by the shooting of Winnie Dortch, a Cleveland 19 News reporter, in a brutal domestic violence attack.
WPF demands accountability for those responsible and insists that no journalist should face violence for doing their job.
Women Press Freedom strongly denounces Russia's flagrant violations against journalists, as demonstrated by the latest unjust persecution of Catherine Norris Trent.
Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the appalling assault on KVLY-TV reporter Tatum Miller, who was physically attacked and subjected to verbal aggression while preparing for an interview in downtown Fargo, North Dakota.
Women Press Freedom calls for urgent legislative action to curb the malicious use of AI and protect journalists from exploitation.
WPF welcome dropping of baseless charges levelled at the journalist for her coverage of a pro-Palestinian sit-in in April.
Women Press Freedom welcomes the release of Palestinian journalist Asmaa Harish from Israeli detention at Damon Prison.
WPF vehemently condemns Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli's threats against Halk TV and 4 journalists, including Şule Aydın.
Syrian State TV news anchor Safaa Ahmed was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Damascus. Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the deliberate targeting and killing of Ahmed and other media professionals by Israel.
