It also draws attention to and focuses on human rights issues, facilitating public debates, and topics related to vulnerable and marginalized groups in society.

[4] Founded in 2001[5] in Batumi by journalists Mzia Amaghlobeli and Eter Turadze [ka], it began as a non-periodical printed newspaper, aiming to address issues such as human rights abuses and corruption prevalent during the rule of Adjara's 1991-2004 autocratic leader, Aslan Abashidze.

"[6][7] During its existence, Newspaper Batumelebi has faced discrimination, political pressure, intimidation, and harassment from government-affiliated individuals and groups, both during the rule of the United National Movement and the Georgian Dream.

[8][9][10][11] In January 2025, one of the founders and a director of Batumelebi, Mzia Amaghlobeli, was detained on charges of "assaulting" a police officer during a protest in Batumi.

In response, embassies of 14 member countries of the Media Freedom Coalition issued a joint statement demanding her immediate release, expressing concern over the intimidation of journalists in Georgia.