Concerns Over New Law Threaten Georgia’s Press Freedom
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is worried about a new law in Georgia. On March 18, the country‘s parliament approved a second reading of a “foreign agent” bill. This means that the law could become reality as soon as April.
Gulnoza Said from CPJ says this is an existential threat to independent press and media groups in Georgia. She believes that the law will make it hard for these organizations to continue their work, especially since they rely on donations.
The new law is a copy of a US law called FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act). The ruling Georgian Dream party said they just needed to adapt this law to fit Georgia’s system. However, CPJ and other analysts think the law will be used to crack down on independent media and journalists.
Lia Chakhunashvili from the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics says that nothing substantial was changed in the second reading. This means that there is little hope for changes before the final reading, which is expected by April 4.
If President Mikheil Kavelashvili signs this bill into law, it could have serious consequences for journalists and media organizations in Georgia.
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