**EU Must Act to Stop Media Repression in Georgia**
The International Press Institute (IPI) has called on the European Union to take immediate action against the repression of media in Georgia. The organization warns that the country is moving closer to becoming a fully consolidated authoritarian regime, with the ruling Georgian Dream party eroding democracy and silencing independent voices.
According to IPI, the situation for media in Georgia is extremely difficult due to the adoption of repressive laws and ongoing attacks on the press. In recent weeks, the Georgian Dream parliament has passed legislation that makes it easier to prosecute journalists for defamation, imposes new restrictions on reporting from courts, and allows courts to impose financial compensation for both material and moral damages.
**New Laws Threaten Independent Journalism**
The IPI statement highlights two key laws that have been adopted by the Georgian Dream parliament. The first law redefines defamation as a “statement containing a substantially false fact and one that damages a person’s reputation,” without requiring harm to be inflicted. This means that journalists can now be prosecuted for simply reporting on facts, even if they are true.
The second law restricts journalists’ ability to report from court premises, including filming inside courtrooms, hallways, and courtyards. This will make it difficult for independent media outlets to cover important stories, such as the ongoing trials of individuals arrested during anti-government protests in Georgia.
**Mzia Amaglobeli’s Detention**
The IPI statement also highlights the case of Mzia Amaglobeli, a veteran Georgian journalist who has been imprisoned since June 23. Despite medical reports showing that her vision has deteriorated dangerously while in prison, Judge Nino Sakhelashvili ruled to keep her in pre-trial detention, citing a “high risk of reoffending.” Amaglobeli’s arrest is widely seen as retaliation for her journalistic work.
**International Community Must Act**
The IPI statement calls on the European Union and its member states to step up pressure on Georgia to stop the rapid descent into authoritarianism. The organization also urges the Georgian Dream party to repeal repressive laws, including the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and recent amendments to the Law on Broadcasting and the Law on Grants.
The IPI statement concludes by calling for the release of Mzia Amaglobeli and withdrawing the recently adopted amendments to the Law on Freedom of Expression, as well as the amendments restricting media coverage of court proceedings.
**A Threat to Democracy**
The repression of media in Georgia poses a serious threat to democracy not only in the country but also in the region. The rise of far-right and populist movements, combined with illiberal and authoritarian regimes gaining ground, makes it essential for the international community to take action.
As the European Union, the world’s largest trading bloc, Georgia is an EU candidate country that was once considered a beacon of democracy in the South Caucasus. It is imperative that the EU takes immediate action to stop the repression of media and promote democratic values in Georgia.
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