Help media in the fight for democracy in Georgia

Georgia’s young democracy and free media are under siege, facing an unprecedented existential threat.

For years free media in the country has been struggling to keep going amidst continuous threats and attacks, both physical and verbal, often directly sponsored or encouraged by the government.

Now, we are faced with mounting legal challenges that not only target us, but threaten civil society, the queer community, women, and many other vulnerable groups in Georgia.

This is a plea: we desperately need your help. The Georgian government has been severing its ties with our Western partners, pushing the country under Russia’s orbit, and succumbing to the whims of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. As one of the pillars of democracy, Georgian media holds the government to account and continues working in this oppressive climate the best it can.

It is against this backdrop that the ruling Georgian Dream party is set on passing the Russia-inspired foreign agent law (dubbed the ‘Russian law’) — one that would censor, demonise, and discredit media and civil society.

Among other things, the law would impose hefty fines on independent media in Georgia, serving to paralyse our crucial work in a likely attempt to drive us out of Georgia, blinding and deafening both domestic and international audiences to the government’s aggressive crusade against civil liberties in Georgia.

In response, Georgians have on a daily basis taken to the streets to protest the law and our Western partners continue to urge the government to drop the draft law.

However, as we cover the unfolding events that will define the future of our country, we, the media, are in dire need of financial support to fund our needs. This includes safety and security equipment and services (gas masks, helmets, first aid kits, bug sweeps), but also communication and technology equipment (power banks, chargers), and legal support.

We have seen what happened to our colleagues in Azerbaijan, Russia, and Belarus after their governments forced them into exile or pressured them to abandon their work.

We refuse to suffer the same fate. Please stand with us in defence of democracy and the free press in Georgia! Donate today.

UPDATE (28 May 2024):

Since drafting the text below at the start of May, the ruling Georgia Dream has passed the feared draconian foreign agent law despite mass protests and pressure. As we approach the pivotal parliamentary elections scheduled for this October and look for ways to continue delivering our mission in the face of foreign agent law, your continued support remains absolutely crucial. Thank you to everyone who believes in our work and has donated.

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This campaign is run by OC Media and its partner media outlets, On .ge, SOVA News, and Jnews.

All proceeds will go to the following media outlets based in Georgia: LIST.