Human rights organizations have condemned the Georgian authorities for repressive anti-media laws
The International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed concern over new legislative initiatives by the Georgian government and ruling party that restrict independent media funding.
The proposed amendments criminalize receiving foreign funding without government permission, punishable by up to six years in prison. Furthermore, a new article on "money laundering for political purposes" is being introduced, punishing journalists with prison terms of nine to 12 years.
Human rights activists emphasize that these measures threaten the survival of Georgian media outlets and call for international sanctions against Georgian government officials. International organizations also supported the launch of the OSCE's "Moscow Mechanism" and called on the Georgian parliament to abandon these amendments.
