Georgian Service
Radio Tavisupleba provides independent journalism in an increasingly polarized media landscape in Georgia.
Website page views
(2024)
Facebook video views
(2024)
Instagram video views
(2024)
YouTube video views
(2024)
About the Service
Launched in 1953 and operating out of Tbilisi, RFE/RL’s Georgian Service, known locally as Radio Tavisupleba, reports in Georgian and Russian.
Countering disinformation with an unbiased, impartial approach to public interest stories is a cornerstone of Radio Tavisupleba’s work.
Primarily operating digitally across multiple platforms, Radio Tavisupleba also offers video and audio programs hosted by local TV and radio affiliates.
Radio Tavisupleba’s Russian-language unit Ekho Kavkaza provides uncensored alternative to Kremlin-controlled information targeting audiences in occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The Service’s exclusive stories and investigative reporting are regularly cited by national media.
In the aftermath of Georgia’s 2024 elections and decision to suspend EU accession, Radio Tavisupleba provided essential coverage during nationwide protests.
Reaching Audiences
Media Climate
Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index ranks Georgia 103rd out of 180 countries.
Media in Georgia face increasing pressure following the enactment of the widely criticized “foreign agent” law by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
In December 2024, journalists, including several Radio Tavisupleba reporters, came under attack by security forces while covering the nationwide protests in Georgia.
Awards
Delegation of the European Union to Georgia
In February 2024, journalists Lana Kokaia and Giorgi Mgeladze received top awards from the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia for their reporting.
Fritt Ord
In September 2024, journalist Nastasia Arabuli was announced as a recipient of the the Fritt Ord Foundation and the Zeit Stiftung Bucerius’ Free Media Award.
Latest Updates
RFE/RL President & CEO Jamie Fly Meets with Top Government Officials in Georgia, Romania
During visits to Georgia and Romania last week, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) President and CEO Jamie Fly advocated for the importance of independent media.
RFE/RL’s Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellows Visit Washington, D.C.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellows visited Washington, D.C. last week.
RFE/RL’s JamieFly Presses Officials On Journalist Safety During Visit To Georgia, Armenia
RFE/RL President Jamie Fly addressed the importance of press freedom and journalist safety during visits last week to Georgia and Armenia.
Service Director
Natia Zambakhidze
Natia Zambakhidze, Service Director of RFE/RL’s Georgian Service, known locally as Radio Tavisupleba, joined RFE/RL in June 2018. She has an extensive background in TV journalism in Georgia, having worked for leading broadcasters since the early 1990’s, including TV company Rustavi 2 (1999-2006) as a reporter, anchor, host and a producer of the news and political shows. During this time, Zambakhidze covered all major political and social developments in Georgia and the region including the Rose and Orange Revolutions. Zambakhidze left journalism in 2006 and joined the foreign service. Before joining RFE/RL, she worked as a Senior Political Counselor for the Georgian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Zambakhidze earned her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Tbilisi.
Support Independent Journalism
Join us in advocating for press freedom and supporting RFE/RL journalists who have been unjustly imprisoned.