New law in Georgia threatens independent media reporting

2024-09-03 15:22:27, Kosova & Bota CNA

Georgia was once seen as a safe place for journalists. But as Voice of America correspondent Liam Scott reports, with the entry into force of a new law, our critics that freedom of the press in Georgia is already in danger.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Georgia's capital Tbilisi this year to protest a new law on organizations receiving foreign funding.

But without any result. With the law taking effect in September, non-profit organizations and media outlets that receive more than a fifth of their funding from foreign sources must register as so-called foreign agents, or face inspection and imposition of heavy fines.

Supporters of the law say it aims to support Georgia's transparency and sovereignty.

But analysts warn that the legislation could be used to silence government critics and push Georgia further away from the West.

"If they have to register, it will limit their opportunities to report freely and critically to the authorities. But if they don't register, then they can be ruined financially ," Gulnoza Said, from the Committee to Protect Journalists, told VOA.

Georgia was among the most free countries within the former Soviet Union. But it has moved closer to Moscow in recent years as freedom continues to deteriorate and corruption to grow, says Ms Said.

"Georgia is at a crossroads between Russia and the West ," she adds.

Some organizations in Georgia say they would rather pay the fines than register as foreign agents. Among them is the Media Development Foundation, which protects the freedom of the press.

"It is a very complicated time for independent institutions in Georgia, but this is our fight. We must protect our rights and we must protect democracy in Georgia ," Tamar Kintsurashvili, from the Media Development Foundation, told VOA.

Georgia is the latest country in the region to adopt a Russian-style law. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have also passed similar laws.

Although the United States also has a foreign agent registration law, media freedom organizations say the Russian law is much broader and is used against critics.

Moscow has classified dozens of media organizations as foreign agents. Among them, the Voice of America and its sister network Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

"It becomes more difficult, but we will not be discouraged. We will continue our mission" , says Stephen Capus, president of Radio Free Europe.

Failure to comply with the laws in Russia is followed by heavy fines and the risk of imprisonment. This is one of the reasons why Radio Free Europe and other media moved their employees to other European cities.

"We decided to stay as long as we can, as the presence on the ground is vital for us. And the pretext for leaving the country was threats to journalists' safety" , says Andrei Shary, director of the Russian-language service at Radio Free Europe.

Attacks on the media in Russia, after the start of the war in Ukraine, led to the departure of many journalists into exile, including in neighboring Georgia.

"With this law, Georgia may lose its status as a safe country for many critical journalists from other countries. This would be very negative" , says Mrs. Said.

With the parliamentary elections in October, press freedom activists are concerned that the new law will affect media reporting on the elections./ VOA