Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili recently approved a new law imposing criminal charges on entities or individuals failing to comply with the country’s “foreign influence” bill. This development, though not widely covered internationally, signifies a troubling trend in the erosion of global press freedom. The law, initially passed in May 2024, requires independent media and NGOs receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as acting in the interest of a foreign power. Similar legislation has been enacted in countries like Kyrgyzstan, Venezuela, Turkey, and Paraguay over a span of seven months.

While these laws aim to safeguard national security against foreign interference, the vague and broad wording allows for easy weaponization, particularly against journalists. For instance, Russia’s “foreign agent” law, enacted in 2012, has been utilized to penalize individuals or organizations engaging in political activities with foreign funding. This has led to legal repercussions, financial constraints, social stigma, and exile for many journalists, creating a chilling effect on press freedom. The impact is not limited to autocratic states, as democracies like Italy and the UK are also contemplating similar legislation.

Effective pushback against these laws may involve strategic pressure campaigns and legal advocacy. The Thomson Reuters Foundation has been supporting exiled independent newsrooms since 2022 to enhance their legal resilience. Despite the challenges faced by journalists fleeing persecution, efforts are being made to provide them with the necessary support and guidance in navigating these hostile environments. The ongoing crackdown on press freedom underscores the urgent need for concerted action to defend journalistic integrity and freedom of expression worldwide.