The research, carried out by researchers from Media Development Foundation as part of the project SAFIMI Georgia: Georgian Society Against FIMI, Disinformation and Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour, offers a comprehensive snapshot of the country’s disinformation ecosystem and proposes key elements to strengthen societal resilience against these threats.
The study examines Georgia’s political and media context, including narratives driven by foreign actors—primarily Russia, followed by China. The research warns of the rise of anti-Western discourse, the political instrumentalization of public communication, and the risks associated with the advance of informational autocracy practices. At the domestic level, it identifies a government that is increasingly attacking national democratic institutions, combining repressive legislation with hostile rhetoric toward independent institutions.
Main findings of the study
The report analyzes Georgia’s strategic documents and institutional framework on FIMI, revealing contradictions between government rhetoric and actions. Although official strategies recognize Russian propaganda as a threat, state responses have been insufficient or inconsistent.
It also examines narratives promoted by internal and external actors. The study identifies several key frames used to portray the West as a threat: interference in national sovereignty, the alleged intention to drag Georgia into a conflict with Russia, and the loss of cultural identity. These narratives depict foreign actors as political and cultural threats, reinforcing government discourse that presents itself as the guarantor of Georgia’s sovereignty and values.
The report also details the tactics, techniques, and procedures most commonly used in disinformation campaigns. Most manipulative content originates from Georgian-language sources, with a strong emphasis on political and identity-based messaging. The use of technologies such as AI-generated fake images and manipulated calls to influence electoral processes is also documented.
Finally, it identifies the actors involved. Russia remains the main driver of influence operations, through Kremlin-linked media outlets and multilingual propaganda networks. The report also points to the limited but growing presence of Chinese influence content. In addition, it highlights the increasing involvement of domestic actors, including political parties, pro-government media, and digital platforms that receive public funding.
The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, combining document analysis, media monitoring, fact-checking databases, discourse analysis, public opinion surveys, and focus groups.
This study is part of the European Union–funded project “SAFIMI Georgia: Georgian Society Against FIMI, Disinformation and Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour”, coordinated by Fundación Maldita.es in collaboration with Media Development Foundation (Georgia), Transparency International (Georgia), and Transatlantic Foundation (Belgium).
This report complements the findings of the report “Survey on Media Consumption and Disinformation in Georgia 2025”, which examined the impact of disinformation and perceptions of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) in the country’s information ecosystem, revealing high levels of distrust in the media and low levels of media literacy.