Georgia: EFJ denounces government’s attempt to reintroduce law on foreign agents
The ruling Georgian Dream party reintroduced into the Parliament on 2 April a proposed “foreign agents” law. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its Georgian affiliate, the Independent Association of Georgian Journalists (IAGJ) in condemning any attempt by the Georgian government to reintroduce the draft legislation on foreign agents or foreign influence. This bill is incompatible with international human rights law and standards that protect the rights to freedom of expression and association.
The bill “on transparency of foreign influence” would require non-profit organisations and media outlets receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to be registered and provide detailed annual financial accounts. Organisations that fail to register or to provide such data would be subject to fines of 8,500 EUR. A statement published on the Georgian Dream Facebook page said the bill is largely identical to the bill dropped in March 2023 following widespread protests.
The only change is that the term “agent of foreign influence” has been replaced by that of “organisation pursuing the interests of a foreign power”. The party, which controls a parliamentary majority large enough to override the President, who previously said she would veto it, vowed in its statement to pass the law by the end of the current parliamentary session in June 2024.
“Since Russian invasion of Ukraine, Georgia became another target for Russian war propaganda,” said IAGJ President Zviad Pochkhua. “While Russian state media channels remain accessible for Georgia’s population, especially in regions, very few Georgian channels have the same resources of reach a wide audience. Independent media play crucial role in limiting distribution of Russian propaganda. Creating additional obstacles to independent media will allow Russia to plant more war propaganda and hate.”
“The Georgian ‘foreign agent’ bill seek to discredit independent media that serve the public interest,” said EFJ President Maja Sever. “It aims to restrict critical media and individuals working to protect democracy and the rule of law. We call on the Georgian Parliament to reject any measure restricting freedom of expression and association”.
