The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Georgia to drop a criminal investigation into independent broadcaster Formula TV after prosecutors on June 17 announced a probe into the pro-opposition outlet on the charge of false denunciation of a crime.

Eter Katamadze, a lawyer for Formula TV, told CPJ this was the first time a news outlet in Georgia had been investigated on this charge, for which the penalty can be a fine, community service, or up to four years in prison.

“Investigating a media outlet for falsely denouncing a crime in a news segment sets a highly concerning precedent and shows how Georgian authorities are seeking new ways to pressure the press,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator. “Georgian authorities must let Formula TV and other independent media work free from intimidation and legal harassment.”

The Prosecution Service said the Formula TV investigation was based on a complaint filed by prominent film director Goga Khaindrava, who is often described in media reports as a supporter of the Georgian Dream ruling party.

Formula TV staff members told CPJ they had not received any further information from prosecutors but believe the investigation relates to a January 2026 program about Khaindrava, who earlier this year filed a civil defamation case against Formula TV over this televised report and another one. The case is pending in the courts.

Katamadze said the investigation was “legal nonsense”, adding that Formula TV’s position is that Georgian law limits the charge of false denunciation of the commission of a crime to cases where someone knowingly files a false complaint with authorities.

The investigation into Formula TV – one of only two remaining major government-critical broadcasters in Georgia, the other being TV Pirveli – comes as the Georgian Dream government has increasingly sought to stifle the independent press. Authorities have introduced “foreign agent” legislation and a raft of other anti-press laws and jailed prominent journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.

Broadcast law amendments, introduced last year, ban foreign funding of broadcasters and allow a parliament-appointed regulatory body to fine broadcasters and suspend or withdraw their licenses for alleged biased coverage and other content violations – with the first such fine issued last month to Formula TV.

CPJ emailed the Prosecution Service of Georgia and contacted Khaindrava via messaging app for comment, but did not immediately receive any replies.