Georgia

Mon, Jun 3, 2024

Doppelganger targets US audience on X to discredit Georgian protests

The latest iteration of the Russia-attributed campaign discredits pro-democracy protests in Georgia

by Eto Buziashvili

Disinformation Georgia
A demonstrator makes a heart-shaped gesture while standing in front of a police cordon during a rally to protest against the so-called foreign agents bill in Tbilisi, Georgia, May 1, 2024. (Source: REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze/File Photo)

Thu, May 2, 2024

Pro-government Facebook ads target protests against foreign agents bill in Georgia

Dozens of Facebook ads targeted Georgian protesters with anti-Western and anti-LGBTQ+ narratives

by Sopo Gelava

Advertising Civil Society
Fireworks explode outside the Georgian parliament building in Tbilisi as protesters attempt to break through barrier constructions during a rally against the bill known as the foreign agents law, March 8, 2023. (Source: Reuters/Irakli Gedenidze)

Wed, May 1, 2024

Russian-language Telegram channels foment tensions in Georgia

Telegram channels posting unverified content exacerbate political grievances between pro-Western and pro-Russian Georgians

by Givi Gigitashvili

Disinformation Europe & Eurasia
A woman holds a phone with a portrait of Soviet leader Josef Stalin on case, during an event marking the 70th anniversary of Stalin's death, in his hometown of Gori, Georgia March 5, 2023. (Source: REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze)

Thu, Mar 14, 2024

Stalin lionized on Georgian TikTok

TikTok videos promote myths about late Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, portraying him as a religious, well-educated strongman

by Sopo Gelava

Georgia Politics & Diplomacy

Thu, Feb 8, 2024

Pro-Kremlin campaign promotes “anti-Maidan” movement in Georgia

Georgian far-right party Alt-Info conducted a cross-platform social media campaign claiming the West was fomenting a coup against the country

by Sopo Gelava

Conflict Disinformation
USAID Administrator Samantha Power speaks to the media as she visits an aid center for refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh in the border village of Kornidzor, Armenia, September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze

Thu, Dec 7, 2023

Russian and Azerbaijani pro-government outlets exploit Georgian USAID narratives

Outlets exploited Georgian government claims to push narratives blaming the US for organizing civil unrest in Georgia and running spies in Azerbaijan

by Eto Buziashvili

Armenia Azerbaijan

Tue, Oct 3, 2023

Georgian travel company behind inauthentic network promotes health-related clickbait content

Inauthentic network disseminated unreliable health-related content to promote travel company and increase sales

by Sopo Gelava, Jean le Roux

Advertising Disinformation

Tue, Sep 19, 2023

Pro-Kremlin groups mobilize online supporters to attack Tbilisi Pride Festival

Pro-Kremlin actors stormed the Tbilisi Pride Festival in July 2023, burning rainbow and Ukrainian flags

by Sopo Gelava

CrowdTangle Disinformation
Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei addresses the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly in Tehran, September 2022.

Thu, Apr 27, 2023

Iran-linked website targets Georgia’s ethnic Azerbaijani community with anti-West content

Iran-based website aimed at ethnic Azerbaijanis in Georgia publishes narratives supporting Russia and Hezbollah

by Sopo Gelava

Azerbaijan Caucasus
An Azerbaijani musician performs during Navruz celebrations in the Georgian town of Marneuli, March 21, 2006. (Source: Reuters/David Mdzinarishvili)

Thu, Apr 27, 2023

Facebook sources targeting Georgia’s Azerbaijani minority reflect pro-West outlook

A DFRLab review of Facebook pages popular among Georgia's Azerbaijani ethnic minority finds pro-West sentiments, including towards the EU, NATO and Ukraine

by Eto Buziashvili

Azerbaijan Georgia
Screencap shows a hijacked Formula TV Facebook page with newly posted images related to Google Bard, with older images from the TV network still visible. (Source: Facebook)

Mon, Apr 17, 2023

Malware masquerading as Google Bard ads targets millions of Facebook users

Perpetrators presented hijacked pages as Google’s AI service and convinced Facebook users, including a Georgian TV network, to download malicious software

by Eto Buziashvili

Advertising Facebook
A protester wrapped in a Georgian national flag raises hands while standing in front of law enforcement officers during a rally against the "foreign agents" law in Tbilisi, Georgia, March 7, 2023. REUTERS/Zurab Javakhadze

Tue, Mar 14, 2023

How the Kremlin misrepresented a video to claim Georgian protesters seek war with Russia

Footage from a protest in Tbilisi was presented with false context to accuse protesters of seeking war in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia

by Sopo Gelava

Conflict Disinformation