Ilona Diasamidze
lawyer Media Ombudsman
Irma Dimitradze
communications manager Gazeti Batumelebi
Tamar Kintsurashvili
founder and executive director Media Development Foundation
Nino Macharashvili
co-founder and director ForSet
Mariam Nikuradze
co-founder and director OC Media
The year 2024 was a tumultuous one for journalism in Georgia. With an increasingly repressive environment, media outlets and journalists face mounting challenges, including new legislative restrictions modeled after Russia's "foreign agent" law, intensified crackdowns during anti-government protests, and ongoing threats to press freedom.
This panel will take a deep dive into the precarious state of journalism in Georgia, addressing how these developments have eroded freedom of expression and placed journalists in harm’s way. Featuring prominent journalists, media advocates, and legal experts, the discussion will focus on:
> The impact of the so-called "foreign agent" law on independent media outlets and NGOs, and its parallels to Russian authoritarian practices.
> Stories from the frontlines: how journalists have been targeted, detained, or silenced during the government’s response to protests.
> The broader implications of shrinking press freedom on Georgia's democratic aspirations and its European integration efforts.
> Practical strategies for supporting independent journalism in a hostile environment, from leveraging international advocacy to innovative grassroots initiatives.
This panel is an urgent call to action for safeguarding press freedom in Georgia and ensuring that journalists can continue to hold power accountable in an era of growing authoritarian tendencies.
Moderated by Nino Macharashvili.