The Georgian government, led by the Georgian Dream party, is unveiling strict media censoring laws that prohibit foreign funding and impose regulations on journalistic ethics. Critics warn that these measures threaten the nation’s hard-fought media freedoms, indicating a decline in democratic principles and a distancing from the West. As the government intensifies its hostility towards Western influence, local organisations like USAID have come under fire, accused of sparking instability through foreign involvement.
On February 5, Georgian Dream detailed plans to tighten laws aimed at reducing Western influence, scrapping the contested Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence. Instead, a legislation akin to the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act will replace it. Additionally, they announced media censorship measures, particularly targeting foreign media financing, despite the critical role free press has played in Georgia’s democratic evolution since the end of Soviet control.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has labelled Georgian media as a source of division and misinformation. Proposed changes suggest establishing standards for journalistic ethics and monitoring processes reminiscent of authoritarian regimes in the post-Soviet space. With plans leaning heavily on advertising revenue, critics note the bleak financial prospects for opposition media in an already limited market.
Further restrictions are expected, with harsher penalties for defaming officials or state employees, allowing authorities to clamp down on dissent and criticism. Changes to civil service laws aim to end foreign funding for public servants and curtail freedoms in civil matters, mirroring trends seen in repressive regimes elsewhere.
Western assistance has been pivotal for Georgian society since gaining independence. Despite the government’s claims of foreign interference, they paradoxically benefit from this aid, which includes vital support for their parliamentary functions. Accusations against groups like USAID appear unfounded, especially given their involvement in enhancing democratic infrastructure in the country.
In a controversial move, the head of the Georgian Dream faction has made direct accusations against the U.S. Embassy regarding the ongoing protests. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy has emphatically denied these unfounded claims, emphasising their commitment to supporting Georgia’s safety and stability. The government’s sudden stance against civil servants with Western education further exemplifies their withdrawal from Western affiliations.
Human Rights Watch has alerted the international community to the escalating human rights crisis and authoritarian shifts under Georgian Dream’s governance. The party shows no intention to reassess its confrontational stance towards Western influences or popular sentiment, consistently enacting laws aimed at consolidating power and diminishing democratic freedoms.
The Georgian government is tightening media laws, limiting foreign influence, and raising concerns about the erosion of democratic values. Proposed legislation includes bans on foreign funding for media, harsh penalties for dissent, and a drive to eliminate Western influence in the public sphere. Critics warn these changes herald an authoritarian shift, threatening free speech and human rights in Georgia.
The Georgian Dream party is enacting stringent laws that threaten free media and human rights, signalling a shift away from democratic values and increasing isolation from the West. With heightened regulations on media, severe penalties for dissent, and a concerted effort to eradicate Western influence, the foundations of Georgia’s democracy are at risk. If these changes continue unchallenged, they may lead to a deeper authoritarian regime that stifles criticism and socio-political freedoms.
Original Source: jamestown.org
