**Georgian Media Under Attack**
The Georgian government is introducing a new law that threatens the country’s free media. Laura Thornton, senior director for global democracy programs at the McCain Institute, says this is an attack on independent media.
According to Thornton, the Georgian Dream party has taken control of the government and parliament, making it difficult for independent media to operate freely. She compares Georgia’s situation to other countries where democratic freedoms have been restricted, such as Hungary and Russia.
**Last Bastions of Democracy**
Thornton says that in today’s world, the last remaining bastions of democracy are the media and civil society. She warns that if these institutions are not protected, democracy will be lost.
The new law prohibits foreign funding for media outlets. Thornton is concerned about how local donors can be found in a country with limited resources. She predicts that many media outlets and journalists will have to find alternative ways to fund their work.
**Challenges Ahead**
Georgia’s media landscape is facing significant challenges. The introduction of the new law has sparked concerns among freedom advocates, and the country’s independent media may struggle to survive.