Kobakhidze Defends Restrictions on Media Language
By Messenger Staff
Monday, October 19, 2026
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has defended a Communications Commission regulation restricting the use of certain words and phrases in the media, saying news broadcasts must meet standards of objectivity and neutrality.
"We have no concerns; we win elections and emerge victorious from every political contest," Kobakhidze told journalists, rejecting suggestions that the rules were intended to shield the government from criticism.
He said neutrality requirements had long existed in Georgian legislation but had not been effectively enforced. According to Kobakhidze, journalists can express subjective views in opinion programs, while news broadcasts must comply with standards of objective reporting.
"The media, in general, ought to be objective," he said, adding that the context in which particular terms are used matters. He declined to discuss the regulation in detail, saying the matter fell under the Communications Commission's authority.
According to Transparency International Georgia, the Commission has identified 93 words and phrases that media outlets are prohibited from using. The list reportedly includes "Ivanishvili's Prime Minister," "oligarch" and "judicial clan."
The regulation has raised concerns about media freedom, particularly whether restricting such terminology could limit journalists' ability to describe political figures and institutions critically. Kobakhidze maintains that the rules are intended to ensure objective news reporting, rather than protect the government from unfavorable coverage.
