Last month, the President of Georgia, Mikhail Kaberashvili, enacted new legislation that imposes criminal charges on organizations and individuals who fail to comply with the country’s “foreign impact” bill, which could result in fines or prison sentences.
This development, which has received significant international media attention, marks a troubling moment for press freedom worldwide.
The initial bill, introduced in May 2024, requires independent media and NGOs that receive over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as acting in the interests of foreign powers. Notably, this legislation has been mirrored in other countries; Kyrgyzstan and Venezuela have implemented similar laws since then.
In just a few months, numerous nations across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and South America have adopted these similar laws, all revolving around the same central theme.
Proponents assert that such measures are necessary to safeguard national security, especially during election periods when foreign meddling can be a real concern. For instance, there has been a significant disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the recent German elections.
However, the troubling aspect lies in the vague and broad language of these laws, which can easily be exploited to marginalize dissent and render journalists’ work nearly impossible.
A prominent example is Russia’s “Foreign Agents” law, which categorizes individuals or organizations receiving foreign funding as foreign agents engaged in “political activities.” The ambiguity of what constitutes political activity endangers a wide range of actions, from community education initiatives to simply sharing public opinion polls.
If labeled as foreign agents, journalists can face severe repercussions, such as being required to register with the authorities and disclose their activities, finances, and interactions—all subject to fines or imprisonment for non-compliance.
This can lead to frozen assets, closed bank accounts, and a complete loss of funding, essentially incapacitating independent media. Additionally, they may be barred from educational institutions, compounded by the social stigma attached to the label of “foreign agent,” which evokes dark memories from the Soviet era.
The stress of this situation is immense. A staggering 93 independent media outlets have had to flee Russia, and Belarus has adopted even stricter variations of this repressive approach, forcing many to abandon their work.
Even in exile, the consequences linger. All published materials must carry a disclaimer noting their “foreign agent” status, which can deter local readership due to fear of increased surveillance. This label has become a part of the identity for many exiled journalists from Russia and Belarus, at times literally worn as a mark of resistance.
The long-term effects on aspiring journalists are dire, with opportunities for skill development disappearing, leaving a void in opposition to state-sponsored propaganda.
It’s critical to recognize that this challenge isn’t exclusive to authoritarian regimes. Many democratic nations are exploring similar legislation in response to rising disinformation and electoral interference.
While these countries certainly have the right to safeguard their interests, the imposition of such laws needs careful consideration. History shows that democracies can slide into authoritarianism; when that happens, vague laws can be weaponized against dissenters.
Strategic pressure campaigns can pressure countries to reconsider these foreign agent laws, as evidenced by the withdrawal of a proposed law in Türkiye due to coordinated advocacy from legal and media organizations.
Unfortunately, in many regions, the damage is already done. Journalists and media organizations—whether in exile or at home—urgently require legal support and guidance.
Since 2022, the Thomson Reuters Foundation has assisted exiled newsrooms in establishing operations in new locations, helping them build resilience against these legal challenges.
Georgia appeared to be a haven for many; its land borders offered a relatively straightforward way for individuals, particularly Russian nationals, to travel. Yet, reports have emerged of the first exiled newsrooms being forced to flee Georgia once again.
These journalists face an ongoing struggle, continuously pursued across borders by laws that stifle their work. It’s a troubling and precarious time, and there’s a pressing need for action.
