In Georgia, mobilization continues against the law on “foreign influence”. The latter threatens in particular NGOs financed by Western countries, but also independent media which receive funds from abroad. These media fear for their survival in an increasingly tense context for Georgian journalists.
2 mins
With our special correspondent in Tbilisi, Daniel Vallot
It’s in a small apartment in the center of Tbilisi where are the premises of Publika, an independent media whose budget is partly financed by American foundations. For its editor-in-chief, Lika Zakashvili, it is the survival of the media which is now at stake with the passing of this law. “ This will kill independent media in the country. Why am I saying that ? Because for no reason the state can come into our organization and into the media. They can take personal information and can force us to stop working. The second important thing too is the stigma they will put on us “, she explains.
Journalists fear for their safety
For several weeks, the working conditions of journalists in Georgia have suddenly deteriorated. On his cell phone, Alexandre Qeshelashvili shows us the attack on a colleague by the police. He himself was recently beaten during a demonstration. “ I said I was a journalist, but the police tried to take my camera and hit me in the face! I had never been targeted as a journalist. Now I’m very careful “, he declares.
Like every day since April, Alexandre is preparing to cover events against the law on foreign influences, but not without fear for his own safety. “ Our situation is not comparable to Russia or Belarus » he tells us “ but we are getting closer and closer “.
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