Georgia's "Foreign Agents" Bill: Protecting the 20 percenters

The political landscape in Georgia has been dramatically altered by the recent passage of the "foreign agents" bill. Despite massive street protests and international condemnation, the Georgian parliament approved the bill, with 84 members of parliament out of 150 voting in favour of the bill.

Regardless of the Georgian president, Salome Zourabichvil following through on her promise and using her presidential veto, the Georgian Dream party, led by the pro-Russian Bidzina Ivanishvili, has the votes required to dismiss her intervention.

This law mandates that NGOs and independent media receiving more than 20% of their funding from foreign donors must register as organisations "bearing the interests of a foreign power." Refusal to do will be met with a fine of 25,000 lari ($9,360), followed by additional fines of 20,000 lari ($7,490) for each month of non-compliance thereafter.

This bill has been met by a huge amount of push back, evidenced by the 50,000-strong protests in Tbilisi, where demonstrators, alongside Western governments, have denounced the bill as authoritarian and reminiscent of Russian tactics.  Opponents to the bill have declared it to be “Russian in its essence” and that it is an “obstacle to our European Path”; since December 2023, Georgia has been one of nine candidate countries for EU membership, after submitting its application ahead of schedule after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It is worth noting that Russian forces continue to occupy the breakaway Georgian states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both partially recognised as an independent state only by a number of Russian aligned nations. United Nations peacekeepers left the region in 2009 when Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, vetoed an extension of the United Nations Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG). Russian forces total approximately 10,000 personnel across both territories, and international concern about Russian intentions in the region are growing as the Georgian Dream regress the country to the era of Shevardnadze.

In this environment, journalists, NGOs, and civil society organisations (CSOs) in Georgia are now facing unprecedented threats as the new law not only challenges their ability to operate but also exposes them to increased harassment and legal actions. 

As a pro-Russian narrative is forced upon the Georgian people by both the Orthodox Church and the ruling Georgian Dream party, Toro have seen increased instances of harassment against organisations promoting gender equality, women’s rights, free speech, and groups debunking misinformation.

Here's our recommendations on how journalists can best protect themselves and continue their critical work.

• First and foremost, journalists must stay informed about the new law. Understanding the specifics and potential impacts is crucial. Stay updated by using vocal sentiment, social media, and broadcast media.
• Journalists should adopt encrypted communication tools like Signal for sensitive conversations to ensure privacy.
• Thorough planning should take place before meeting with confidential or sensitive sources and, whilst most experienced journalists are able to create a safe information environment for their sources, advice is readily available from more experienced news outlets or security providers like Toro.
• Protecting data through regular backups and the use of strong, unique passwords is essential. Implementing multi factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for unauthorised individuals to access critical information.
• Preparation is key: Develop of a series of codewords for meeting locations known only to journalists in your group. Create a “safe word” or “safe phrase” which can be used when in a public to place to alert staff to danger without arousing public concern e.g. “We need to go and meet Angela, now.” 
• Given the increased risks, conducting regular risk assessments can help journalists stay aware of potential threats. Planning safe routes, avoiding predictable patterns, and maintaining a network of emergency contacts are key steps to take.
• Offer your journalists relevant training, conduct regular Hostile Environment and First Aid Training courses and related refreshers.
• It’s important to understand the environment and what sort of activities are abnormal.  Journalists should use behavioural detection techniques to identify potential threats. Toro have supported organisations in conflict management and situational awareness, which are both critical to master in an environment where civil unrest is likely.
• The stress of working under these news conditions can take a significant toll on mental health for both journalists and their family. Accessing mental health resources and support networks is essential for maintaining psychological wellbeing. Balancing work and personal life can help prevent burnout, ensuring that journalists remain resilient in the face of ongoing challenges. Children may not fully understand the situation or the threat and will need to be reassured.
• Plan for the worst and hope for the best! If the situation becomes too threatening and an evacuation is needed, it is essential that a ‘grab bag’ is packed for all family members and safe routes planned for a swift move to a safe location.

The passage of the "foreign agents" bill in Georgia is a stark reminder of the fragility of press freedom and civil society.

Journalists must adapt to this new reality by staying informed, enhancing their security measures, and taking care of their mental health.

Usual Information - https://www.bbc.co.uk/safety/guides/journalism/