Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli honoured with Free Media Award

Free Media Award for Georgian journalist

Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder and director of the Georgian outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, is to receive the prestigious Free Media Award.

The journalist is currently serving a two-year prison sentence for slapping the police chief of Batumi. Local and international human rights groups say the case is politically motivated and consider her a prisoner of conscience.

US State Department voices concern over crackdown on government critics in Georgia

US State Department responds to sentencing of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli

“Mzia Amaghlobeli has become the face of independent media in Georgia,” reads a statement on the website of Norway’s Fritt Ord Foundation, which awards the prize.

Other winners this year include the Ukrainian outlet Gwara Media, the Hungarian outlet Direkt98, Russian journalist Alexandra Astakhova, Azerbaijani journalist Nargiz Absalamova, and the Belarusian Investigative Center.

The Free Media Awards are jointly presented by Norway’s Fritt Ord Foundation and Germany’s ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS to honour journalists and media outlets that strengthen independent journalism.

Verdict in Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli’s case delayed until August 4 – details inside

The hearing lasted nine hours. The lawyer called the trial historic and spoke of falsifications in the case. The verdict in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case is expected on August 4

News in Georgia

Free Media Award for Georgian journalist