Georgia Moves to Tighten Restrictive Media Funding Laws, Add Lengthy Jail Terms

Georgia moves to tighten restrictive media funding laws, add lengthy jail terms

New York, February 2, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Georgia’s parliament to reject proposed amendments to media and civil society funding laws that would further restrict the country’s shrinking space for independent reporting.  The proposals, which follow last year’s passage of a punitive “foreign agent” law and legislation requiring government approval for foreign grants, widen the definition of a “grant” to...

Georgia: Ruling party proposes laws to criminalize foreign funding for civic activity

Ahead of the parliamentary vote on legislative amendments announced by the Georgian Dream ruling party, which aim to further silence dissent and tighten control over those who receive foreign support for political and other civic activity, Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said: “The government’s proposed changes to the law on grants are highly damaging and signify Georgia’s further ex…

CoE Commissioner Calls On Georgian Parliament to Reject New Funding Restrictions ‘Stifling Civil Society’ - Civil Georgia

Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe commissioner for human rights, called on Georgia’s disputed Parliament to reject legislative amendments that would further tighten restrictions and penalties on recipients of foreign funding. “I am concerned by the proposed amendments to seven different laws, which, if adopted, would impose significant restrictions on civil society organisations,” the Commissioner said in a February 2 statement, as Georgia’s…

Georgia: Restrictive new funding law would further cut off media and journalists

Georgia: Restrictive new funding law would further cut off media and journalists The MFRR partners strongly condemn the proposals of the Georgian Dream (GD) ruling party to implement a series of legislative amendments that would impose additional restrictions and penalties on recipients of grants and foreign funding. 30.01.2026 If implemented, our organisations warn the amendments would strengthen an already restrictive web of le…