The Charter of Journalistic Ethics of Georgia has issued a statement regarding the arrest of Formula TV anchor and journalist Vakho Sanaia. The association described the court’s ruling as a repressive measure by the ruling Georgian Dream party targeting the channel, the journalist himself, and other media representatives.
The statement notes that such a restriction on freedom of expression is unprecedented, even for Georgian Dream.
As noted in the statement, on July 22, the court sentenced Vakho Sanaia to 14 days of administrative detention over Facebook posts in which he used profanity. Prior to this, the journalist had already been fined 6,000 GEL for a similar post. In addition, in October 2025, Sanaia served six days of detention on charges of “artificially blocking a road.”
The Charter emphasizes that this is the first time in Georgia that a journalist has been subjected to administrative detention for social media posts. The organization considers this case to be just part of a broader campaign of pressure against Formula TV.
The statement lists other decisions by state authorities targeting the TV channel:
- On July 17, the National Communications Commission fined Formula 5,000 GEL for violating Article 54 of the Law on Broadcasting, which concerns the principles of fairness and impartiality. According to the Charter, this article is regularly used against critical TV channels over the use of phrases such as “Georgian Dream president,” “Georgian Dream prosecutor’s office,” “repressive laws,” and others.
- On May 21, the commission had already fined the channel 2,500 GEL for using expressions like “Ivanishvili regime,” “regime prosecutor’s office,” and “regime court.” Earlier, on April 8, Formula, along with other TV channels, received a warning on similar grounds.
The organization notes that current legislation allows the commission to subsequently suspend the TV channel’s authorization and ultimately revoke it entirely if the violations, in the regulator’s view, are not rectified.
In addition, on July 14, a court ruled in favor of Georgian Dream supporter Goga Khaindrava, ordering Formula TV to pay him 10,000 GEL in moral damages over two investigative reporting segments aired in one of its programs.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office is investigating a report aired by the channel under a criminal article on knowingly making a false accusation. Program host David Kashiashvili, report author Natuka Lomadze, and cameraman Misho Martashvili have already been questioned in connection with the case.
The Charter believes that the laws enacted by Georgian Dream are repressive in nature and violate both the Constitution of Georgia and international standards.
The statement also says that the Communications Commission, which is supposed to be an independent regulator, has in the organization’s view effectively turned into an instrument of censorship, while the courts and prosecution service act in the interests of the ruling party.
According to the Charter, Vakho Sanaia is being punished not for specific posts, but for his critical stance toward the authorities. The organization contends that pressure is being exerted on media editorial independence through state-controlled institutions in an attempt to influence editorial policy.
In conclusion, the Charter expressed solidarity with Vakho Sanaia and all employees of Formula TV, noting that they continue to carry out their professional work despite numerous obstacles.
