In a joint statement, more than 60 media outlets state categorically that they oppose the Russian bill introduced by members of parliament majority.
“We, as the media organizations who signed the statement are categorically opposed to the Russian draft law on ‘agents of external influence’ initiated by members of parliamentary majority.
“We believe the goal of the law is to prevent critical voices from being listened to, and media and public organisations cannot reflect corruption and injustice in the country.
“This is confirmed by a similar law that was passed in Russia many years ago. Civil and media organizations were shut down, and journalists became the victims of persecution.
“Adoption this law harms the accession process to the European Union. This was clearly stated by the High Representative of European Union on the 24th of February. The legislative amendment submitted hinders Georgia’s development and closes a window of opportunity which has opened up today.
“We serve our community and care about the future of the country. We will not work under this label. In the event that the Russian law is adopted, we will not register as “agents of foreign influence”. This is an insult to our professional dignity,” reads the statement.
The majority of the Georgian parliament plans to adopt a law that will see a number of nongovernmental organizations in Russia first declared as “foreign agents”, and then banned completely. The law on “foreign agent” is also aimed at the media in the country.
Currently, the majority has introduced two “foreign agent of influence” bills. They claim that this is a “softer version” of the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and 2. “An alternative version of American Law.”
The adoption of a similar Georgian law is being criticized by both the Georgian government and its western partners. In the US, the law on the “registration of Foreign Agents” was passed almost a century before, and the US urges the Georgian government to not adopt it.
By Ana Dumbadze
Image source: Netgazeti
The bill “On Registration of Foreign Agents” will be presented to Parliament today
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