On October 18, at an event devoted to media freedom in Tbilisi, EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski raised concerns over the consequences of the recently adopted ‘Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence’, formerly known as the ‘Foreign Agents Law’.
Herczynski declared that the law has had ‘dramatic effects’ on Georgian journalism which makes the profession ‘dangerous and burdensome’ in the country. He further emphasized the increase of both cyber and physical attacks on journalists, threatening the independence of media platforms.
The Ambassador also noted the decrease of Georgia’s standing in the Press Freedom Index, declining to 103rd place from 77th between 2023-24.
Research employed at the event illustrated that 65% of journalists feel unprotected whereas 39% reported surveillance and 30% property damages.
Herczynski noted the significance of media freedom, calling for positive changed before the upcoming elections.
