Georgia: Authoritarian “foreign agent” law must be withdrawn
On 1 August, Georgia’s bill on Transparency of Foreign Influence came into force, posing a severe threat to press freedom and democracy, with the potential to criminalise journalists and independent media. The International and European Federation of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) strongly condemn this oppressive legislation, highlight its potential to be weaponised against critics of the government, and urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally withdraw it.
After Georgia’s controversial bill on Transparency and Foreign Influence came into force on 1 August, all media and civil society organisations receiving more than 20% of its funding from abroad are mandated to register as “foreign agents”. This draconian law poses an unprecedented threat to journalists and media freedom in the country.
The Ministry of Justice issued a new bylaw, on 29 July, for establishing a new Financial Reporting department under the National Agency of Public Registry. Next, the government will regularly monitor the organisations labelled as “foreign agents” every six months, and if necessary, force them to hand over internal communications and confidential sources. Organisations that do not comply will face severe fines.
The dangers of this law are stark and immediate. Drawing inspiration from Russia’s 2012 “foreign agent” legislation, it provides the Georgian government with a powerful tool to discredit and silence critical voices. For instance, in Russia, similar laws have led to the closure of independent media outlets and the persecution of journalists. Georgia’s version of this law sets a dangerous precedent, threatening to replicate these oppressive outcomes by labelling critical media as “foreign agents” and enabling government’s interference and pressure on newsrooms, thereby undermining their credibility and independence.
Journalists and citizens have reacted strongly against the law, before its enactment. In May 2024, protests erupted across Georgia, with citizens and media professionals taking to the streets to voice their opposition, following the parliamentary vote. On 19 May, President Salome Zourabichvili vetoed the divisive law, however it was considered largely symbolic – according to BBC, as the prime minister from the Georgian Dream party holds enough seats in parliament to override the veto.
This is not the first time that Georgia’s government tries to pass a ‘foreign agents’ bill. In March 2023, the government backed away from the bill after mass demonstrations were organised outside the parliament with more than one hundred protestors detained.
The Independent Association of Georgian Journalists is urging the Parliament of Georgia to withdraw law on foreign agents.So-called Foreign Agents’ Law which mimics similar law in Russia aims at limiting the voice of independent media and non-government organisations in Georgia, stated Zviad Pochkhua, IAGJ President. “This Law was adapted on the background of raising Russian influence in Georgia and ongoing occupation of Georgian territories, which adds additional concerns to the aim of such law”, he said.
The IFJ and the EFJ strongly condemn the Georgian government’s actions and stand in solidarity with the country’s journalists and civil society organisations:
“This law is a blatant attempt to muzzle independent media and silence dissenting voices. It represents a severe attack on press freedom and democracy in Georgia. We urge the Georgian government to withdraw this authoritarian legislation immediately and respect the fundamental rights of free expression and independent journalism.”
