NewKerala.com

China's Covert Media Influence in Georgia Raises Alarms, Says Watchdog

A report by Reporters Without Borders details China's strategy of influencing Georgia's fragile media landscape through local intermediaries, particularly pro-Kremlin outlets. Funded programmes and republished content from Chinese state media promote a positive image of Beijing while avoiding sensitive topics. This comes despite Georgian laws banning broadcasters from accepting foreign funding, which authorities have not enforced against the implicated channel. The watchdog warns this creates an ecosystem where authoritarian propaganda erodes media pluralism in Georgia.

Key Points: China's Growing Media Influence in Georgia - RSF Report

  • China uses local Georgian media
  • Focus on pro-Kremlin, pro-govt outlets
  • Bypasses foreign funding ban
  • Avoids sensitive topics like Xinjiang
  • Erodes media pluralism
3 min read

Report raises alarm over China's growing influence in Georgia's media landscape

Reporters Without Borders warns of China using pro-Kremlin Georgian media to spread its narrative, bypassing foreign funding laws.

"Beijing doesn't need to open its own media outlets in Georgia: it uses local intermediaries to spread its narratives. - Jeanne Cavelier, RSF"

Paris, March 18

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders has sounded an alarm over China's growing influence in a weakened media landscape of Georgia. Since 2022, China has been increasing its influence on information space of Georgia. While it has not not launched a state media outlet in Georgia, China is relying on local media outlets, particularly those who are pro-Kremlin and support the Georgian government to promote their narratives, a report has stated.

A 50-minute programme highlighting achievements of China, hosted by two anchors standing in front of a map of the country topped with the communist flag, was broadcast on a leading television channel in Georgia. Often considered pro-Kremlin, the channel was launched by former MP and co-founder of the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia party, Irma Inashvili, in 2010.

"Produced using content provided by China Media Group - China's largest State-owned broadcasting company - each programme amounts to nearly an hour of praise of Beijing's economic, cultural and diplomatic successes. Sensitive topics, like the repression of Uyghurs in the autonomous region of Xinjiang or the protests in Hong Kong, are carefully avoided," a report in Paris-based Reporters Without Borders stated.

"This format is illustrative of Beijing's foreign influence strategy, which seeks to shape international perceptions of China by concealing damaging information and promoting a positive image of the country. The Chinese Embassy in Georgia funds Obiektivi for this programme, as shown by the 2025 data published on the website of the Communications Commission (ComCom), the country's media regulator," it added.

The data for 2026 has not been released yet. However, since April, 2025, amendments to Georgia's Law on Broadcasting have banned broadcasters from accepting foreign funding, with the exception of commercial advertising. The Georgian authorities have not taken steps in response to Obiektivi's apparent violation of this law, according the RSF.

Jeanne Cavelier, head of the RSF Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, stated, "Beijing doesn't need to open its own media outlets in Georgia: it uses local intermediaries to spread its narratives. This interference is not limited to disinformation; it also operates through the subtle integration of foreign state narratives and opaque influence relationships with certain media outlets. In Georgia's weakened media landscape, these tactics help create an ecosystem in which authoritarian propaganda mutually reinforces itself, gradually eroding media pluralism."

According to RSF, the signing of strategic partnership between Georgia and China in 2023 marked a new phase in the dissemination of China's narrative in Georgia. During that period, articles from China-based leading daily Global Times, which is aligned with the Communist Party of China, were republished in several Georgian outlets. Content from the Global Times is translated and published regularly in Georgia, as per the report.

"China's influence is growing as Georgia's media landscape becomes increasingly fragile. Amid political pressure, restrictive legislation and funding difficulties, many independent media outlets are struggling to survive. More than 600 violations targeting journalists and media outlets were recorded between October 2024 and November 2025. In this context, Georgia's information space has provided particularly fertile ground for foreign influence to take hold," the RSF detailed.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Very concerning. The report mentions the Uyghur issue being carefully avoided. This is exactly how propaganda works—show only the shiny parts, hide the dark realities. Georgia needs to enforce its own laws on foreign funding. Sovereignty includes information sovereignty.
A
Aman W
From an Indian perspective, we understand the challenges of a powerful neighbour seeking influence. It's a reminder for us to support strong, independent media at home. We can't let any foreign narrative dominate our public discourse. 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
While the report raises valid concerns, I think we should also be cautious. Western media watchdogs sometimes have their own biases. Is this a genuine concern for Georgian media freedom, or part of a larger geopolitical narrative against China? We need more local Georgian voices on this.
K
Karthik V
The tactic of using local proxies is smart and dangerous. It's much harder to detect and counter than a direct state-owned channel. Georgia's government not taking action against the law violation is the biggest red flag here. Where there is political will, there is a way.
M
Meera T
This is why funding for public interest journalism is so crucial! When independent media struggles, vacuums are created that get filled by these kinds of influences. Hope the international community steps up to support genuine Georgian journalists.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50