Gvantsa Pipia is a Georgian journalist and the founder and editor-in-chief of Accent News Agency, an independent, three-lingual online media outlet (English, Russian, and Georgian) focused on conflict reporting, disinformation analysis, and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration. Under her leadership, Accent has become known for its exclusive interviews with global security officials, fact-based reporting, and its courageous coverage of Russian aggression—work that led to the outlet being officially blocked by Russian authorities in 2022. In this interview, Pipia reflects on the challenges facing independent journalism and her personal mission.
Q: Gvantsa, you’ve been in journalism for over a decade. What motivated you to launch Accent News?
A: After years of working in the field and observing the growing influence of disinformation—especially in post-Soviet spaces—I felt a responsibility to create a platform that not only informs but also challenges harmful narratives. That’s how Accent News was born. It started as a small outlet, but our goal was always clear: to provide credible, fact-based reporting, especially on complex issues like foreign policy, conflict zones, and security in Georgia and the wider region.
Q: What distinguishes Accent News from other media outlets in Georgia?
A: We focus on topics that are often underreported or oversimplified. This includes in-depth analysis of the Russian occupation in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, coverage of Georgia’s NATO and EU aspirations, and regular interviews with top-level international officials. We actively counter propaganda and disinformation, especially narratives aimed at weakening democratic institutions. What truly sets us apart is that Accent News is a three-lingual outlet—publishing in Georgian, Russian, and English. Our Russian-language articles, in particular, enable us to reach and give a voice to people living in the occupied territories, where access to unbiased information is severely limited.
Q: Your outlet was blocked in Russia. What happened?
A: In 2022, we received an official notice from Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state communications watchdog, demanding that we delete an article about the war in Ukraine and stop using words like “occupation” and “aggression.” They claimed our reporting contained so-called “unreliable information” about Russia’s military actions. We refused to comply with this censorship request. As a result, Roskomnadzor officially blocked access to Accent News within Russia.
Their attempt to silence us only confirmed that our reporting was reaching people and making an impact. We see it as a badge of honor. As a responsible media outlet, we’re accountable to our readers—not to authoritarian regimes that suppress freedom of expression.
Q: You’ve received support from international partners. How important is this for an independent outlet like yours?
A: It's essential. Running an independent media outlet in Georgia—especially one that refuses to align with political or financial power structures—is not sustainable without external support. Over the years, Accent News has received grants from international organizations that value democracy and press freedom. These partnerships allow us to maintain editorial independence, invest in investigative reporting, and expand our reach—especially in hard-to-access regions.
Q: Georgia is currently going through a politically tense period. How is this affecting the media?
A: The situation is deeply concerning. We've seen increasing pressure on independent media, threats and even physical attacks against journalists, as well as the introduction of laws—such as the so-called 'foreign agents law' and similar legislation—designed to intimidate, discredit, and suppress outlets that receive foreign support. It’s a dangerous path. What’s at stake is not just media freedom, but the future of Georgia’s democratic development and its international alignment.
Q: As the founder of a news agency that covers geopolitics and conflict, what is your broader mission?
A: Our mission is to inform, connect, and defend. We inform the public with facts. We connect local issues to global dynamics. And we defend the principles of independent journalism at a time when they’re under threat from multiple directions—be it authoritarian regimes, disinformation networks, or anti-democratic domestic agendas. My work isn’t just about news—it’s about building societal resilience through truth.
Q: What keeps you motivated in such a challenging environment?
A: The messages from readers in conflict zones thanking us for telling the truth. The young journalists who see that integrity is still possible in this profession. And the fact that despite growing censorship and polarization, there are still people who believe in the power of real journalism. That’s enough to keep going.
